Load control system providing manual override of an energy savings mode

ABSTRACT

A load control system for a building having a lighting load, a window, and a heating and cooling system comprises a lighting control device, a daylight control device, and a temperature control device operable to be controlled so as to decrease a total power consumption of the load control system in an energy-savings mode. The energy-savings mode can be manually overridden in response to actuation of the actuator of an input control device, such that the load control system enters a manual mode for manually adjusting the loads controlled by the lighting control device, the daylight control device, and the temperature control device. The load control system is operable to automatically return to the energy-savings mode at a time after the load control system entered the manual mode.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/605,054, filed Jan. 26, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,991,710, issuedJun. 5, 2018, which is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/727,043, filed Dec. 26, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No.8,975,778, issued Mar. 10, 2015, entitled LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM PROVIDINGMANUAL OVERRIDE OF AN ENERGY SAVINGS MODE, which is acontinuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/845,016, filed Jul. 28, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,901,769, issuedDec. 2, 2014 entitled LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM HAVING AN ENERGY SAVINGS MODE,which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/230,001, filed Jul. 30, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Application No.61/239,988, filed Sep. 4, 2009, both entitled LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM HAVINGAN ENERGY SAVINGS MODE. The entire disclosures of all of theseapplications are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a load control system for a pluralityof electrical loads in a building, and more particularly, to a loadcontrol system for automatic control of the electrical loads to reducethe total power consumption of the load control system, and manualcontrol of the electrical loads to improve occupant comfort.

Description of the Related Art

Reducing the total cost of electrical energy is an important goal formany electricity consumers. The customers of an electrical utilitycompany are typically charged for the total amount of energy consumedduring a billing period. However, since the electrical utility companymust spend money to ensure that its equipment (e.g., an electricalsubstation) is able to provide energy in all situations, including peakdemand periods, many electrical utility companies charge theirelectricity consumers at rates that are based on the peak powerconsumption during the billing period, rather than the average powerconsumption during the billing period. Thus, if an electricity consumerconsumes power at a very high rate for only a short period of time, theelectricity consumer will face a significant increase in its total powercosts.

Therefore, many electricity consumers use a “load shedding” technique toclosely monitor and adjust (i.e., reduce) the amount of power presentlybeing consumed by the electrical system. Additionally, the electricityconsumers “shed loads”, i.e., turn off some electrical loads, if thetotal power consumption nears a peak power billing threshold establishedby the electrical utility. Prior art electrical systems of electricityconsumers have included power meters that measure the instantaneoustotal power being consumed by the system. Accordingly, a buildingmanager of such an electrical system is able to visually monitor thetotal power being consumed. If the total power consumption nears abilling threshold, the building manager is able to turn off electricalloads to reduce the total power consumption of the electrical system.

Many electrical utility companies offer a “demand response” program tohelp reduce energy costs for their customers. With a demand responseprogram, the electricity consumers agree to shed loads during peakdemand periods in exchange for incentives, such as reduced billing ratesor other means of compensation. For example, the electricity utilitycompany may request that a participant in the demand response programshed loads during the afternoon hours of the summer months when demandfor power is great. An example of a lighting control system that isresponsive to demand response commands is described in greater detail incommonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,747,357, issued Jun. 29, 2010,entitled METHOD OF COMMUNICATING A COMMAND FOR LOAD SHEDDING OF A LOADCONTROL SYSTEM, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporatedby reference.

Some prior art lighting control systems have offered a load sheddingcapability in which the intensities of all lighting loads are reduced bya fixed percentage, e.g., by 25%, in response to an input provided tothe system. The input may comprise an actuation of a button on a systemkeypad by a building manager. Such a lighting control system isdescribed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,225,760, issued May 1,2001, entitled FLUORESCENT LAMP DIMMER SYSTEM, the entire disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference.

Some prior art load control systems have provided for control of boththe intensities of electrical lighting loads (to control the amount ofartificial light in a space) and the positions of motorized windowtreatments (to control the amount of daylight entering the space). Suchload control systems have operated to achieve a desired lightingintensity on task surfaces in the space, to maximize the contribution ofthe daylight provided to the total light illumination in the space(i.e., to provide energy savings), and/or to minimize sun glare in thespace. An example of a load control system for control of bothelectrical lighting loads and motorized window treatments is describedin greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,111,952, issuedSep. 26, 2006, entitled SYSTEM TO CONTROL DAYLIGHT AND ARTIFICIALILLUMINATION AND SUN GLARE IN A SPACE, the entire disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference. In addition, prior art heating,ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) control systems allow forcontrol of a setpoint temperature of the HVAC system to provide forcontrol of the present temperature in a building and may operate tominimize energy consumption.

It is desirable to automatically control the lighting intensities oflighting loads, the positions of motorized window treatments, and thetemperature of the building in a single load control system in order toreduce the total power consumption of the load control system. However,when automatically controlling three or more variables of a load controlsystem to ultimately control three or more parameters of the buildingwhere there is some non-linearity in the relationships between thevariables and the parameters, unpredictability (i.e., deterministicchaos) may exist in the system. For example, if a load control systemautomatically controls the intensities of electrical lighting loads, thepositions of motorized window treatments, and the setpoint temperatureof an HVAC system in order to ultimately control the total lightintensity, the present temperature, and the total energy consumption ofa space in the building, the resulting operation of the system maydisordered and random to a user of the system. Accordingly, the systemmay not be able to automatically control these variables to produce thedesired and optimum control of the variables in the building. Thus,there is a need for a load control system that is able to control threeor more variables in to

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a load controlsystem for a building comprises a lighting control device forcontrolling the amount of power delivered to a lighting load located ina space of the building, a daylight control device for controlling theamount of natural light to be admitted through a window located in thespace of the building, a temperature control device for controlling asetpoint temperature of a heating and cooling system to thus control apresent temperature in the building, and an input control devicecomprising an actuator allowing for manual override of an automaticcontrol algorithm of the load controls system. The lighting controldevice, the daylight control device, and the temperature control deviceare able to operate in an energy-savings mode so as to automaticallyreduce a total power consumption of the load control system. The inputcontrol device operable to transmit a digital message to at least one ofthe lighting control device, the daylight control device, and thetemperature control device in response to an actuation of the actuator.The energy-savings mode is manually overridden in response to actuationof the actuator of the input control device, such that the load controlsystem enters a manual mode for manually adjusting at least one of theamount of power delivered to the lighting load, the amount of naturallight admitted through the window, and the setpoint temperature of theheating and cooling system in the manual mode. The lighting controldevice, the daylight control device, and the temperature control deviceoperable to automatically return to the energy-savings mode at a timeafter the lighting control device, the daylight control device, and thetemperature control device entered the manual mode.

In addition, a method of controlling a load control system for abuilding comprises: (1) controlling the amount of power delivered to alighting load located in a space of the building; (2) controlling asetpoint temperature of a heating and cooling system to thus control apresent temperature in the building; (3) controlling the amount ofnatural light to be admitted through a window located in the space ofthe building; (4) operating the load control system in an energy-savingsmode; (5) automatically decreasing the amount of power delivered to thelighting load when operating in the energy-savings mode; (6)automatically adjusting the setpoint temperature of the heating andcooling system to decrease the power consumption of the heating andcooling system when operating in the energy-savings mode; (7)automatically controlling the amount of natural light admitted throughthe window so as to decrease the power consumption of the load controlsystem when operating in the energy-savings mode; (8) in response to anactuation of an actuator, entering a manual mode for manually adjustingat least one of the amount of power delivered to the lighting load, theamount of natural light admitted through the window, and the setpointtemperature of the heating and cooling system in the manual mode; and(8) automatically returning to the energy-savings mode at a time afterentering the manual mode.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description of the invention that refers tothe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a centralized load controlsystem according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified side view of an example of a space of a buildinghaving a window covered by one of the motorized roller shades of theload control system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a side view of the window of FIG. 2 illustrating a sunlightpenetration depth;

FIG. 3B is a top view of the window of FIG. 2 when the sun is directlyincident upon the window;

FIG. 3C is a top view of the window of FIG. 2 when the sun is notdirectly incident upon the window;

FIG. 4 is a simplified flowchart of a timeclock configuration procedureexecuted periodically by a controller of the load control system of FIG.1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a simplified flowchart of an optimal shade position procedureexecuted by the controller of the load control system of FIG. 1according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A-6C show example plots of optimal shade positions of themotorized roller shades of the load control system of FIG. 1 ondifferent facades of the building during different days of the yearaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a simplified flowchart of a timeclock event creation procedureexecuted by the controller of the load control system of FIG. 1according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A-8C show example plots of controlled shade positions of themotorized roller shades of the load control system of FIG. 1 ondifferent facades of the building during different days of the yearaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a simplified flowchart of a daylighting procedure executedperiodically by the controller of the load control system of FIG. 1 whendaylighting is enabled;

FIG. 10A is a simplified flowchart of a demand response messageprocedure executed by the controller of the load control system of FIG.1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10B is a simplified flowchart of a load control procedure executedperiodically by the controller of the load control system of FIG. 1according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a simplified flowchart of a normal control procedure executedby the controller of the load control system of FIG. 1 according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are simplified flowcharts of a demand response controlprocedure executed by the controller of the load control system of FIG.1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a simplified flowchart of a timeclock execution procedureexecuted periodically by the controller of the load control system ofFIG. 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a simplified flowchart of a daylighting monitoring procedureexecuted by the controller of the load control system of FIG. 1according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15A is a simplified flowchart of a modified schedule procedureexecuted by the controller of the load control system of FIG. 1according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15B is a simplified flowchart of an HVAC monitoring procedureexecuted by the controller of the load control system of FIG. 1according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a simplified flowchart of a planned demand response procedureexecuted by the controller of the load control system of FIG. 1according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a simplified flowchart of the pre-condition timeclock eventprocedure executed by the controller of the load control system of FIG.1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a simplified flowchart of the planned demand responsetimeclock event procedure executed by the controller of the load controlsystem of FIG. 1 according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 19A and 19B are simplified flowcharts of a demand response levelprocedure executed by the controller of the load control system of FIG.1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a simplified block diagram of a distributed load controlsystem according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21A is a front view of a temperature control device of the loadcontrol system of FIG. 20 showing a cover plate open;

FIG. 21B is a front view of the temperature control device of FIG. 21Ashowing the cover plate open;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a wireless temperature sensor of theload control system of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a simplified block diagram of the temperature control deviceof FIG. 21A;

FIG. 24 is a front view of a dynamic keypad of the load control systemof FIG. 20;

FIG. 25 is a simplified block diagram of the dynamic keypad of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 shows an example screenshot of a lighting scenes screen of thedynamic keypad of FIG. 24;

FIG. 27 shows an example screenshot of a lighting zones screen of thedynamic keypad of FIG. 24;

FIG. 28 shows an example screenshot of a window treatments scenes screenof the dynamic keypad of FIG. 24;

FIG. 29 shows an example screenshot of a window treatments zones screenof the dynamic keypad of FIG. 24;

FIG. 30 shows an example screenshot of a setpoint temperature adjustmentscreen of the dynamic keypad of FIG. 24 showing a setback displaywindow;

FIG. 31 shows an example screenshot of a setpoint temperature adjustmentscreen of the dynamic keypad of FIG. 24 showing a setback adjustmentwindow;

FIG. 32 shows an example screenshot of an energy-savings preset screenof the dynamic keypad of FIG. 24; and

FIGS. 33 and 34 show example screenshots of first and secondenergy-savings adjustment screens of the dynamic keypad of FIG. 24.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunctionwith the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustrating theinvention, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment that ispresently preferred, in which like numerals represent similar partsthroughout the several views of the drawings, it being understood,however, that the invention is not limited to the specific methods andinstrumentalities disclosed.

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a centralized load controlsystem 100 that may be installed in a building (such as a commercialbuilding) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Theload control system 100 comprises a multi-zone lighting control device110 that is operable to control the amount of power delivered from analternating-current (AC) power source (not shown) to one or morelighting loads 112 for adjusting the intensities of the lighting loads.The lighting load 112 may be located in a space 160 (FIG. 2) of thebuilding to thus control the amount of electric light (i.e., artificiallight) in the space. The lighting loads 112 may comprise, for example,incandescent lamps, halogen lamps, gas discharge lamps, fluorescentlamps, compact fluorescent lamps, high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps,magnetic low-voltage (MLV) lighting loads, electronic low-voltage (ELV)lighting loads, light-emitting diode (LED) light sources, hybrid lightsources comprising two or more different types of lamps, and any otherelectrical light sources, or combination thereof, that provideillumination. In addition, the load control system 100 may compriseadditional multi-zone lighting control devices 110 as well assingle-zone lighting control devices, such as, electronic dimmingballasts, LED drivers, and dimmer switches.

The lighting control device 110 is operable to control a presentlighting intensity L_(PRES) of each of the lighting loads 112 from aminimum lighting intensity L_(MIN) to a maximum lighting intensityL_(MAX). The lighting control device 110 is operable to “fade” thepresent lighting intensity L_(PRES), i.e., control the present lightingintensity from a first lighting intensity to a second lighting intensityover a period of time. Fade rates of a lighting control device aredescribed in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No.5,248,919, issued Sep. 29, 1993, entitled LIGHTING CONTROL DEVICE, theentire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The lighting control device 110 comprises a first set of buttons 114,which may be actuated by a user to allow for manual control of theintensities of the lighting loads 112, i.e., to allow an occupant tocontrol the intensities of the lighting load 112 to desired intensitylevels L_(DES). Actuations of the buttons 114 may cause the lightingcontrol device 110 to select one or more lighting presets (i.e.,“scenes”). The first set of buttons 114 may also comprise raise andlower buttons for respectively raising and lowering the intensities ofall (or a subset) of the lighting loads 112 in unison. The lightingcontrol device 110 is connected to a wired communication link 116 and isoperable to transmit and receive digital messages via the communicationlink. Alternatively, the communication link could comprise a wirelesscommunication link, such as, for example, a radio-frequency (RF)communication link or an infrared (IR) communication link.

The load control system 100 also comprises one or more daylight controldevices, for example, motorized window treatments, such as motorizedroller shades 120. The motorized roller shades 120 of the load controlsystem 100 may be positioned in front of one or more windows forcontrolling the amount of daylight (i.e., natural light) entering thebuilding. The motorized roller shades 120 each comprise a flexible shadefabric 122 rotatably supported by a roller tube 124. Each motorizedroller shade 120 is controlled by an electronic drive unit (EDU) 126,which may be located inside the roller tube 124. The electronic driveunit 126 may be powered directly from the AC power source or from anexternal direct-current (DC) power supply (not shown). The electronicdrive unit 126 is operable to rotate the respective roller tube 124 tomove the bottom edge of the shade fabric 122 to a fully-open positionand a fully-closed position, and to any position between the fully-openposition and the fully-closed position (e.g., a preset position).Specifically, the motorized roller shades 120 may be opened to allowmore daylight to enter the building and may be closed to allow lessdaylight to enter the building. In addition, the motorized roller shades120 may be controlled to provide additional insulation for the building,e.g., by moving to the fully-closed position to keep the building coolin the summer and warm in the winter. Examples of electronic drive unitsfor motorized roller shades are described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat.No. 6,497,267, issued Dec. 24, 2002, entitled MOTORIZED WINDOW SHADEWITH ULTRAQUIET MOTOR DRIVE AND ESD PROTECTION, and U.S. Pat. No.6,983,783, issued Jan. 10, 2006, entitled MOTORIZED SHADE CONTROLSYSTEM, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

Alternatively, the motorized roller shades 120 could comprise tensionedroller shade systems, such that the motorized roller shades 120 may bemounted in a non-vertical manner, for example, horizontally in askylight. An example of a tensioned roller shade system that is able tobe mounted in a skylights is described in commonly-assigned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/061,802, filed Apr. 3, 2008, entitledSELF-CONTAINED TENSIONED ROLLER SHADE SYSTEM, the entire disclosure ofwhich in hereby incorporated by reference. In addition, the daylightcontrol devices of the load control system 100 could alternativelycomprise controllable window glazings (e.g., electrochromic windows),controllable exterior shades, controllable shutters or louvers, or othertypes of motorized window treatments, such as motorized draperies, romanshades, or blinds. An example of a motorized drapery system is describedin commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,935,403, issued Aug. 30, 2005,entitled MOTORIZED DRAPERY PULL SYSTEM, the entire disclosure of whichin hereby incorporated by reference.

Each of the electronic drive units 126 is coupled to the communicationlink 116, such that the electronic drive unit may control the positionof the respective shade fabric 122 in response to digital messagesreceived via the communication link. The lighting control device 110 maycomprise a second set of buttons 118 that provides for control of themotorized roller shades 120. The lighting control device 110 is operableto transmit a digital message to the electronic drive units 126 inresponse to actuations of any of the second set of buttons 118. The useris able to use the second set of buttons 118 to open or close themotorized roller shades 120, adjust the position of the shade fabric 122of the roller shades, or set the roller shades to preset shade positionsbetween the fully open position and the fully closed position.

The load control system 100 comprise one or more temperature controldevices 130, which are also coupled to the communication link 116, andmay be powered, for example, from the AC power source, an external DCpower supply, or an internal battery. The temperature control devices130 are also coupled to a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning(HVAC) control system 132 (i.e., a “heating and cooling” system) via anHVAC communication link 134, which may comprise, for example, a networkcommunication link such as an Ethernet link. Each temperature isoperable to control the HVAC system 132 to a cooling mode in which theHVAC system is cooling the building, and to a heating mode in which theHVAC system is heating the building. The temperature control devices 130each measure a present temperature T_(PRES) in the building and transmitappropriate digital messages to the HVAC system to thus control thepresent temperature in the building towards a setpoint temperatureT_(SET). Each temperature control device 130 may comprise a visualdisplay 135 for displaying the present temperature T_(PRES) in thebuilding or the setpoint temperature T_(SET). In addition, eachtemperature control device 130 may comprise raise and lower temperaturebuttons 136, 138 for respectively raising and lowering the setpointtemperature T_(SET) to a desired temperature T_(DES) specified by theoccupant in the building. Each temperature control device 130 is alsooperable to adjust the setpoint temperature T_(SET) in response todigital messages received via the communication link 116.

The load control system 100 further comprises one or more controllableelectrical receptacles 140 for control of one or more plug-in electricalloads 142, such as, for example, table lamps, floor lamps, printers, faxmachines, display monitors, televisions, coffee makers, and watercoolers. Each controllable electrical receptacle 140 receives power fromthe AC power source and has an electrical output to which a plug of theplug-in electrical load 142 may be inserted for thus powering theplug-in load. Each controllable electrical receptacle 140 is operable toturn on and off the connected plug-in electrical load 142 in response todigital messages received via the communication link. In addition, thecontrollable electrical receptacles 140 may be able to control theamount of power delivered to the plug-in electrical load 142, e.g., todim a plug-in lighting load. Additionally, the load control system 100could comprise one or more controllable circuit breakers (not shown) forcontrol of electrical loads that are not plugged into electricalreceptacles, such as a water heater.

The load control system 100 may also comprise a controller 150, whichmay be coupled to the communication link 116 for facilitating control ofthe lighting control devices 110, the motorized roller shades 120, thetemperature control devices 130, and the controllable electricalreceptacles 140 of the load control system 100. The controller 150 isoperable to control the lighting control devices 110 and the motorizedroller shades 120 to control a total light level in the space 160 (i.e.,the sum of the artificial and natural light in the space). Thecontroller 150 is further operable to control the load control system100 to operate in an energy savings mode. Specifically, the controller150 is operable to transmit individual digital messages to each of thelighting control devices 110, the motorized roller shades 120, thetemperature control devices 130, and the controllable electricalreceptacles 140 to control the intensities of the lighting loads 112,the positions of the shade fabrics 122, the temperature of the building,and the state of the plug-in electrical loads 142, respectively, so asto reduce the total power consumption of the load control system 100 (aswill be described in greater detail below). The controller 150 may befurther operable to monitor the total power consumption of the loadcontrol system 100.

The load control system 100 may further comprise an occupancy sensor 152for detecting an occupancy condition or a vacancy condition in the spacein which the occupancy sensor in mounted, and a daylight sensor 154 formeasuring an ambient light intensity L_(AMB) in the space in which thedaylight sensor in mounted. The occupancy sensor 152 and the daylightsensor 154 may be coupled to the lighting control device 110 (as shownin FIG. 1). Alternatively, the occupancy sensor 152 and the daylightsensor 154 may be coupled to the communication link 116 or directly tothe controller 150.

The controller 150 is operable to control the lighting control device110, the motorized roller shades 120, the temperature control devices130, and the controllable electrical receptacles 140 in response to anoccupancy condition or a vacancy condition detected by the occupancysensor 152, and/or in response to the ambient light intensity L_(AMB)measured by the daylight sensor 154. For example, the controller 150 maybe operable to turn on the lighting loads 112 in response to detectingthe presence of an occupant in the vicinity of the occupancy sensor 152(i.e., an occupancy condition), and to turn off the lighting loads inresponse to detecting the absence of the occupant (i.e., a vacancycondition). In addition, the controller 150 may be operable to increasethe intensities of the lighting loads 112 if the ambient light intensityL_(AMB) detected by the daylight sensor 154 is less than a setpointlight intensity L_(SET), and to decrease the intensities of the lightingload if the ambient light intensity L_(AMB) is greater than the setpointlight intensity L_(SET).

Examples of occupancy sensors are described in greater detail inco-pending, commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/203,500, filed Sep. 3, 2008, entitled BATTERY-POWERED OCCUPANCYSENSOR; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/371,027, filed Feb. 13,2009, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONFIGURING A WIRELESS SENSOR,the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.Examples of daylight sensors are described in greater detail incommonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/727,923, filedMar. 19, 2010, entitled METHOD OF CALIBRATING A DAYLIGHT SENSOR; andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/727,956, filed Mar. 19, 2010,entitled WIRELESS BATTERY-POWERED DAYLIGHT SENSOR, the entiredisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The controller 150 may also be connected to a network communication link156, e.g., an Ethernet link, which may be coupled to a local areanetwork (LAN), such as an intranet, or a wide area network (WAN), suchas the Internet. The network communication link 156 may also comprise awireless communication link allowing for communication on a wirelessLAN. For example, the controller 150 may be operable to receive a demandresponse (DR) command (e.g., an “immediate” demand response command)from an electrical utility company as part of a demand response program.In response to receiving an immediate demand response command, thecontroller 150 will immediately control the load control system 100 toreduce the total power consumption of the load control system.

According to alternative embodiments of the present invention, thedemand response command may also comprise one of a plurality of demandresponse levels or a planned demand response command indicating anupcoming planned demand response event as will be describe in greaterdetail below. While the present invention is described with thecontroller 150 connected to the network communication link 156 forreceipt of the demand response commands, the one or more of the lightingcontrol devices 110 could alternatively be coupled to the networkcommunication link 156 for control of the lighting loads 112, themotorized roller shades 120, the temperature control devices 130, andthe controllable electrical receptacles 140 in response to the demandresponse commands.

The controller 150 may comprise an astronomical time clock fordetermining the present time of day and year. Alternatively, thecontroller 150 could retrieve the present time of the year or day fromthe Internet via the network communication link 156.

To maximize the reduction in the total power consumption of the loadcontrol system 100, the controller 150 is operable to control the loadcontrol system 100 differently depending upon whether the HVAC system132 is presently heating or cooling. For example, the controller 150 mayincrease the setpoint temperatures T_(SET) of each of the temperaturecontrol devices 130 when the HVAC system 132 is presently cooling andmay decrease the setpoint temperatures T_(SET) when the HVAC system ispresently heating in order to save energy. Alternatively, the controller150 could control the setpoint temperature T_(SET) of the temperaturecontrol device 130 differently depending on whether the present time ofthe year is during a first portion of the year, e.g., the “summer”(i.e., the warmer months of the year), or during a second portion of theyear, e.g., the “winter” (i.e., the colder months of the year). As usedherein, the “summer” refers to the warmer half of the year, for example,from approximately May 1 to approximately October 31, and the “winter”refers to the colder half of the year, for example, from approximatelyNovember 1 to approximately April 30. In addition, the controller 150could alternatively control the setpoint temperature T_(SET) of thetemperature control device 130 differently depending on the temperatureexternal to the building.

The controller 150 may be operable to operate in an “out-of-box” mode ofoperation immediately after being installed and powered for the firsttime. Specifically, the controller 150 may be operable to control thelighting control devices 110, the motorized roller shades 120, thetemperature control devices 130, and the controllable electricalreceptacles 140 according to pre-programmed out-of-box settings inresponse to receiving a demand response command via the networkcommunication link 156. For example, in response to receiving the demandresponse command when in the out-of-box mode, the controller 150 may dimthe lighting loads 112 by a predetermined percentage ΔL_(OOB), e.g., byapproximately 20% of the present lighting intensity L_(PRES) (such thatthe lighting loads 112 consume less power). In addition, the controller150 may close all of the motorized roller shades 120 to provideadditional insulation for the building (such that the HVAC system 132will consume less power) in response to receiving the demand responsecommand when in the out-of-box mode. Further, the controller 150 mayadjust the setpoint temperatures T_(SET) of the temperature controldevices 130 in response in response to receiving the demand responsecommand when in the out-of-box mode, for example, by increasing thesetpoint temperatures T_(SET) of each of the temperature control devicesby a predetermined setback temperature T_(OOB) (e.g., approximately 2°F.) when the HVAC system 132 is presently cooling the building, anddecreasing the setpoint temperatures T_(SET) of each of the temperaturecontrol devices by the predetermined setback temperature T_(OOB) whenthe HVAC system is presently heating the building, such that the HVACsystem will consume less power.

To maximize the reduction in the total power consumption of the loadcontrol system 100, the controller 150 may be configured using anadvanced programming procedure, such that the controller 150 operates ina programmed mode (rather than the out-of-box mode). For example, thecontroller 150 may be programmed to control the load control system 100differently depending upon whether one or more of the windows of thebuilding are receiving direct sunlight as will be described in greaterdetail below. The load control system 100 and the controller 150 may beprogrammed using, for example, a personal computer (PC) (not shown),having a graphical user interface (GUI) software. The programminginformation may be stored in a memory in the controller 150.

In addition, the controller 150 or one of the other control devices ofthe load control system 100 may be able to provide a visual indicationthat load control system is operating in the energy savings mode (i.e.,in response to a demand response command). For example, the lightingcontrol device 110 could comprise a visual indicator, such as alight-emitting diode (LED), which may be illuminated when the loadcontrol system 100 is operating in the energy savings mode. An exampleof a lighting control device for providing a visual indication of anenergy savings mode is described in greater detail in commonly-assignedU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/474,950, filed May 29, 2009,entitled LOAD CONTROL DEVICE HAVING A VISUAL INDICATION OF AN ENERGYSAVINGS MODE, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

Alternatively, the load control system 100 could comprises a visualdisplay, such as an liquid-crystal display (LCD) screen, for providing avisual indication in the load control system 100 is operating in theenergy savings mode and for providing information regarding the totalpower consumption of the load control system and the amount of energysavings. An example of a visual display for providing energy savingsinformation is described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/044,672, filed Mar. 7, 2008, SYSTEM ANDMETHOD FOR GRAPHICALLY DISPLAYING ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND SAVINGS, theentire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Inaddition, the load control system 100 could comprise a dynamic keypadfor receiving user inputs (e.g., dynamic keypad 1700 of the fourthembodiment as shown in FIG. 24 and described in greater detail below).

The controller 150 is operable to transmit digital messages to themotorized roller shades 120 to control the amount of sunlight enteringthe space 160 of the building to limit a sunlight penetration distanced_(PEN) in the space. The controller 150 comprises an astronomicaltimeclock and is able to determine a sunrise time t_(SUNRISE) and asunset time t_(SUNSET) for a specific day of the year. The controller150 transmits commands to the electronic drive units 126 toautomatically control the motorized roller shades 120 in response to ashade timeclock schedule as will be described in greater detail below.An example of a method of limiting the sunlight penetration distanced_(PEN) is a space is described in greater detail in commonly-assignedU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/563,786, filed Sep. 21, 2009,entitled METHOD OF AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING A MOTORIZED WINDOWTREATMENT WHILE MINIMIZING OCCUPANT DISTRACTIONS, the entire disclosureof which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIG. 2 is a simplified side view of an example of the space 160illustrating the sunlight penetration distance d_(PEN), which iscontrolled by one of the motorized roller shades 120. As shown in FIG.2, the building comprises a façade 164 (e.g., one side of a four-sidedrectangular building) having a window 166 for allowing sunlight to enterthe space. The space 160 also comprises a work surface, e.g., a table168, which has a height h_(WORK). The motorized roller shade 120 ismounted above the window 166, such that the shade fabric 122 hangs infront of the window, so as to control the amount of daylight (i.e.,natural light) that is admitted through the window. The electronic driveunit 126 rotates the roller tube 172 to move the shade fabric 170between a fully open position (in which the window 166 is not covered)and a fully closed position (in which the window 166 is fully covered).Further, the electronic drive unit 126 may control the position of theshade fabric 170 to one of a plurality of preset positions between thefully open position and the fully closed position.

The sunlight penetration distance d_(PEN) is the distance from thewindow 166 and the façade 164 at which direct sunlight shines into theroom. The sunlight penetration distance d_(PEN) is a function of aheight h_(WIN) of the window 166 and an angle φ_(F) of the façade 164with respect to true north, as well as a solar elevation angle θ_(S) anda solar azimuth angle φ_(S), which define the position of the sun in thesky. The solar elevation angle θ_(S) and the solar azimuth angle φ_(S)are functions of the present date and time, as well as the position(i.e., the longitude and latitude) of the building in which the space160 is located. The solar elevation angle θ_(S) is essentially the anglebetween a line directed towards the sun and a line directed towards thehorizon at the position of the building. The solar elevation angle θ_(S)can also be thought of as the angle of incidence of the sun's rays on ahorizontal surface. The solar azimuth angle φ_(S) is the angle formed bythe line from the observer to true north and the line from the observerto the sun projected on the ground.

The sunlight penetration distance d_(PEN) of direct sunlight onto thetable 168 of the space 160 (which is measured normal to the surface ofthe window 166) can be determined by considering a triangle formed bythe length t of the deepest penetrating ray of light (which is parallelto the path of the ray), the difference between the height h_(WIN) ofthe window 166 and the height h_(WORK) of the table 168, and distancebetween the table and the wall of the façade 164 (i.e., the sunlightpenetration distance d_(PEN)) as shown in the side view of the window166 in FIG. 3A, i.e.,tan(θ_(S))=(h _(WIN) −h _(WORK))/l,  (Equation 1)where θ_(x) is the solar elevation angle of the sun at a given date andtime for a given location (i.e., longitude and latitude) of thebuilding.

If the sun is directly incident upon the window 166, a solar azimuthangle φ_(S) and the façade angle φ_(F) (i.e., with respect to truenorth) are equal as shown by the top view of the window 166 in FIG. 3B.Accordingly, the sunlight penetration distance d_(PEN) equals the lengtht of the deepest penetrating ray of light. However, if the façade angleφ_(F) is not equal to the solar azimuth angle φ_(S), the sunlightpenetration distance d_(PEN) is a function of the cosine of thedifference between the façade angle φ_(F) and the solar azimuth angleφ_(S), i.e.,d _(PEN) =l·COS(|φ_(F)−φ_(S)|),  (Equation 2)as shown by the top view of the window 166 in FIG. 3C.

As previously mentioned, the solar elevation angle θ_(S) and the solarazimuth angle φ_(S) define the position of the sun in the sky and arefunctions of the position (i.e., the longitude and latitude) of thebuilding in which the space 160 is located and the present date andtime. The following equations are necessary to approximate the solarelevation angle θ_(S) and the solar azimuth angle φ_(S). The equation oftime defines essentially the difference in a time as given by a sundialand a time as given by a clock. This difference is due to the obliquityof the Earth's axis of rotation. The equation of time can beapproximated byE=9.87·sin(2B)−7.53·cos(B)−1.5·sin(B),  (Equation 3)where B=[360°·(N_(DAY)−81)]/364, and N_(DAY) is the present day-numberfor the year (e.g., N_(DAY) equals one for January 1, N_(DAY) equals twofor January 2, and so on).

The solar declination δ is the angle of incidence of the rays of the sunon the equatorial plane of the Earth. If the eccentricity of Earth'sorbit around the sun is ignored and the orbit is assumed to be circular,the solar declination is given by:δ=23.45°·sin[360°/365·(N _(DAY)+284)].  (Equation 4)The solar hour angle H is the angle between the meridian plane and theplane formed by the Earth's axis and current location of the sun, i.e.,H(t)={¼˜[t+E−(4·λ)+(60·t _(Tz))]}−180°,  (Equation 5)where t is the present local time of the day, λ is the local longitude,and t_(TZ) is the time zone difference (in unit of hours) between thelocal time t and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). For example, the time zonedifference t_(TZ) for the Eastern Standard Time (EST) zone is −5. Thetime zone difference t_(TZ) can be determined from the local longitude λand latitude Φ of the building. For a given solar hour angle H, thelocal time can be determined by solving Equation 5 for the time t, i.e.,t=720+4·(H+λ)−(60·t _(Tz))−E.  (Equation 6)When the solar hour angle H equals zero, the sun is at the highest pointin the sky, which is referred to as “solar noon” time t_(SN), i.e.,t _(SN)=720+(4·λ)−(60·t _(Tz))−E.  (Equation 7)A negative solar hour angle H indicates that the sun is east of themeridian plane (i.e., morning), while a positive solar hour angle Hindicates that the sun is west of the meridian plane (i.e., afternoon orevening).

The solar elevation angle θ_(S) as a function of the present local timet can be calculated using the equation:θ_(S)(t)=sin⁻¹[cos(H(t))·cos(δ)·cos(Φ)+sin(δ)·sin(Φ)],  (Equation 8)wherein Φ is the local latitude. The solar azimuth angle φ_(S) as afunction of the present local time t can be calculated using theequation:φ_(S)(t)=180° C.(t)·cos⁻¹[X(t)/cos(θ_(S)(t))],  (Equation 9)whereX(t)=[ cos(H(t))·cos(δ)·sin(Φ)−sin(Φ)·cos(Φ)],  (Equation 10)and C(t) equals negative one if the present local time t is less than orequal to the solar noon time t_(SN) or one if the present local time tis greater than the solar noon time t_(SN). The solar azimuth angleφ_(S) can also be expressed in terms independent of the solar elevationangle θ_(S), i.e.,φ_(S)(t)=tan⁻¹[−sin(H(t))·cos(δ)/Y(t)],  (Equation 11)whereY(t)=[sin(δ)·cos(Φ)−cos(δ)·sin(Φ)·cos(H(t))].  (Equation 12)Thus, the solar elevation angle θ_(S) and the solar azimuth angle φ_(S)are functions of the local longitude λ and latitude Φ and the presentlocal time t and date (i.e., the present day-number N_(DAY)). UsingEquations 1 and 2, the sunlight penetration distance can be expressed interms of the height h_(WIN) of the window 166, the height h_(WORK) ofthe table 168, the solar elevation angle θ_(S), and the solar azimuthangle φ_(S).

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, themotorized roller shades 120 are controlled such that the sunlightpenetration distance d_(PEN) is limited to less than a desired maximumsunlight penetration distance d_(MAX) during all times of the day. Forexample, the sunlight penetration distance d_(PEN) may be limited suchthat the sunlight does not shine directly on the table 168 to preventsun glare on the table. The desired maximum sunlight penetrationdistance d_(MAX) may be entered, for example, using the GUI software ofthe PC, and may be stored in the memory in the controller 150. Inaddition, the user may also use the GUI software of the computer toenter the local longitude λ and latitude Φ of the building, the façadeangle φ_(F) for each façade 164 of the building, and other relatedprogramming information, which may also be stored in the memory of eachcontroller 150.

In order to minimize distractions to an occupant of the space 160 (i.e.,due to movements of the motorized roller shades), the controller 150controls the motorized roller shades 120 to ensure that at least aminimum time period T_(MIN) exists between any two consecutive movementsof the motorized roller shades. The minimum time period T_(MIN) that mayexist between any two consecutive movements of the motorized rollershades may be entered using the GUI software of the computer and may bealso stored in the memory in the controller 150. The user may selectdifferent values for the desired maximum sunlight penetration distanced_(MAX) and the minimum time period T_(MIN) between shade movements fordifferent areas and different groups of motorized roller shades 120 inthe building.

FIG. 4 is a simplified flowchart of a timeclock configuration procedure200 executed periodically by the controller 150 of the load controlsystem 100 to generate a shade timeclock schedule defining the desiredoperation of the motorized roller shades 120 of each of the façades 164of the building according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention. For example, the timeclock configuration procedure 200 may beexecuted once each day at midnight to generate a new shade timeclockschedule for one or more areas in the building. The shade timeclockschedule is executed between a start time t_(START) and an end timet_(END) of the present day. During the timeclock configuration procedure200, the controller 150 first performs an optimal shade positionprocedure 300 for determining optimal shade positions P_(OPT)(t) of themotorized roller shades 120 in response to the desired maximum sunlightpenetration distance d_(MAX) for each minute between the start timet_(START) and the end time t_(END) of the present day. The controller150 then executes a timeclock event creation procedure 400 to generatethe events of the shade timeclock schedule in response to the optimalshade positions P_(OPT)(t) and the user-selected minimum time periodT_(MIN) between shade movements. The events times of the shade timeclockschedule are spaced apart by multiples of the user-specified minimumtime period T_(MIN) between shade movements. Since the user may selectdifferent values for the desired maximum sunlight penetration distanced_(MAX) and the minimum time period T_(MIN) between shade movements fordifferent areas and different groups of motorized roller shades 120 inthe building, a different shade timeclock schedule may be created andexecuted for the different areas and different groups of motorizedroller shades in the building (i.e., the different façades 164 of thebuilding).

The shade timeclock schedule is split up into a number of consecutivetime intervals, each having a length equal to the minimum time periodT_(MIN) between shade movements. The controller 150 considers each timeinterval and determines a position to which the motorized roller shades120 should be controlled in order to prevent the sunlight penetrationdistance d_(PEN) from exceeding the desired maximum sunlight penetrationdistance d_(MAX) during the respective time interval. The controller 150creates events in the shade timeclock schedule, each having an eventtime equal to beginning of respective time interval and a correspondingposition equal to the position to which the motorized roller shades 104should be controlled in order to prevent the sunlight penetrationdistance d_(PEN) from exceeding the desired maximum sunlight penetrationdistance d_(MAX). However, the controller 150 will not create atimeclock event when the determined position of a specific time intervalis equal to the determined position of a preceding time interval (aswill be described in greater detail below). Therefore, the event timesof the shade timeclock schedule are spaced apart by multiples of theuser-specified minimum time period T_(MIN) between shade movements.

FIG. 5 is a simplified flowchart of the optimal shade position procedure300, which is executed by the controller 150 to generate the optimalshade positions P_(OPT)(t) for each minute between the start timet_(START) and the end time t_(END) of the shade timeclock schedule suchthat the sunlight penetration distance d_(PEN) will not exceed thedesired maximum sunlight penetration distance d_(MAX). The controller150 first retrieves the start time t_(START) and the end time t_(END) ofthe shade timeclock schedule for the present day at step 310. Forexample, the controller 150 could use the astronomical timeclock to setthe start time t_(START) equal to the sunrise time t_(SUNRISE) for thepresent day, and the end time t_(END) equal to the sunset timet_(SUNSET) for the present day. Alternatively, the start and end timest_(START), t_(END) could be set to arbitrary times, e.g., 6 A.M. and 6P.M, respectively.

Next, the controller 150 sets a variable time t_(VAR) equal to the starttime t_(START) at step 312 and determines a worst case façade angleφ_(F-WC) at the variable time t_(VAR) to use when calculating theoptimal shade position P_(OPT)(t) at the variable time t_(VAR).Specifically, if the solar azimuth angle φ_(S) is within a façade angletolerance φ_(TOL) (e.g., approximately 3°) of the fixed façade angleφ_(F) at step 314 (i.e., if φ_(F)−φ_(TOL)≤φ_(S)≤φ_(F)+φ_(TOL)), thecontroller 150 sets the worst case façade angle φ_(F-WC) equal to thesolar azimuth angle φ_(S) of the façade 164 at step 315. If the solarazimuth angle φ_(S) is not within the façade angle tolerance φ_(TOL) ofthe façade angle φ_(F) at step 314, the controller 150 then determinesif the façade angle φ_(r) plus the façade angle tolerance φ_(TOL) iscloser to the solar azimuth angle φ_(S) than the façade angle φ_(F)minus the façade angle tolerance φ_(TOL) at step 318. If so, thecontroller 150 sets the worst case façade angle φ_(F-WC) equal to thefaçade angle φ_(F) plus the façade angle tolerance φ_(TOL) at step 320.If the façade angle φ_(F) plus the façade angle tolerance φ_(TOL) is notcloser to the solar azimuth angle φ_(S) than the façade angle φ_(F)minus the façade angle tolerance φ_(TOL) at step 318, the controller 150sets the worst case façade angle φ_(F-WC) equal to the façade angleφ_(F) minus the façade angle tolerance φ_(TOL) at step 322.

At step 324, the controller 150 uses Equations 1-12 shown above and theworst case façade angle φ_(F-WC) to calculate the optimal shade positionP_(OPT)(t_(VAR)) that is required in order to limit the sunlightpenetration distance d_(PEN) to the desired maximum sunlight penetrationdistance d_(MAX) at the variable time t_(VAR). At step 326, thecontroller 150 stores in the memory the optimal shade positionP_(OPT)(t_(VAR)) determined in step 324. If the variable time t_(VAR) isnot equal to the end time t_(END) at step 328, the controller 150increments the variable time t_(VAR) by one minute at step 330 anddetermines the worst case façade angle φ_(F-WC) and the optimal shadeposition P_(OPT)(t_(VAR)) for the new variable time t_(VAR) at step 324.When the variable time t_(VAR) is equal to the end time t_(END) at step328, the optimal shade position procedure 300 exits.

Thus, the controller 150 generates the optimal shade positionsP_(OPT)(t) between the start time t_(START) and the end time t_(END) ofthe shade timeclock schedule using the optimal shade position procedure300. FIG. 6A shows an example plot of optimal shade positionsP_(OPT1)(t) of the motorized roller shades 120 on the west façade of thebuilding on January 1, where the building is located at a longitude λ ofapproximately 75° W and a latitude Φ of approximately 40° N. FIG. 6Bshows an example plot of optimal shade positions P_(OPT2)(t) of themotorized roller shades 120 on the north façade of the building onJune 1. FIG. 6C shows an example plot of optimal shade positionsP_(OPT3)(t) of the motorized roller shades 120 on the south façade ofthe building on April 1.

FIG. 7 is a simplified flowchart of the timeclock event creationprocedure 400, which is executed by the controller 150 in order togenerate the events of the shade timeclock schedule according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention. Since the shade timeclockschedule is split up into a number of consecutive time intervals, thetimeclock events of the timeclock schedule are spaced between the starttime t_(START) and the end time t_(END) by multiples of the minimum timeperiod T_(MIN) between shade movements, which is selected by the user.During the timeclock event creation procedure 400, the controller 150generates controlled shade positions P_(CNTL)(t), which comprise anumber of discrete events, i.e., step changes in the position of themotorized roller shades at the specific event times. The controller 150uses the controlled shade positions P_(CNTL)(t) to adjust the positionof the motorized roller shades during execution of the shade timeclockschedule. The resulting timeclock schedule includes a number of events,which are each characterized by an event time and a corresponding presetshade position.

The controller 150 uses the controlled shade positions P_(CNTL)(t) toadjust the position of the motorized roller shades 120 during executionof a timeclock execution procedure 900, which will be described ingreater detail below with reference to FIG. 13. The timeclock executionprocedure 900 is executed by the controller 150 periodically (e.g., onceevery minute) between the start time t_(START) and the end time t_(END)when the shade timeclock schedule is enabled. The shade timeclockschedule may be disabled, such that the timeclock execution procedure900 is not executed periodically, when the space 160 is unoccupied orwhen the controller 150 receives an immediate demand command via thenetwork communication link 156. At the end of the shade timeclockschedule (i.e., at the end time t_(END)), the controller 150 controlsthe position of the motorized roller shades 120 to a nighttime positionP_(NIGHT) (e.g., the fully-closed position P_(FC)) as will be describedin greater detail below with reference to FIG. 13.

FIG. 8A shows an example plot of controlled shade positions P_(CNTL1)(t)of the motorized roller shades 120 on the west façade of the building onJanuary 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 8B shows an example plot of controlled shade positions P_(CNTL2)(t)of the motorized roller shades 120 on the north façade of the buildingon June 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 8C shows an example plot of controlled shade positions P_(CNTL3)(t)of the motorized roller shades 120 on the south façade of the buildingon April 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The controller 150 examines the values of the optimal shade positionsP_(OPT)(t) during each of the time intervals of the shade timeclockschedule (i.e., the time periods between two consecutive timeclockevents) to determine a lowest shade position P_(LOW) during each of thetime intervals. During the timeclock event creation procedure 400, thecontroller 150 uses two variable times t_(V1), t_(V2) to define theendpoints of the time interval that the controller is presentlyexamining. The controller 150 uses the variable times t_(V1), t_(V2) tosequentially step through the events of the shade timeclock schedule,which are spaced apart by the minimum time period T_(MIN) according tothe first embodiment of the present invention. The lowest shadepositions P_(LOW) during the respective time intervals becomes thecontrolled shade positions P_(CNTL)(t) of the timeclock events, whichhave event times equal to the beginning of the respective time interval(i.e., the first variable time t_(V1)).

Referring to FIG. 7, the controller 150 sets the first variable timet_(V1) equal to the start time t_(START) of the shade timeclock scheduleat step 410. The controller 150 also initializes a previous shadeposition P_(PREV) to the nighttime position P_(NIGHT) at step 610. Ifthere is enough time left before the end time t_(END) for the presenttimeclock event (i.e., if the first variable time t_(V1) plus theminimum time period T_(MIN) is not greater than the end time t_(END)) atstep 412, the controller 150 determines at step 414 if there is enoughtime for another timeclock event in the shade timeclock schedule afterthe present timeclock event. If the first variable time t_(V1) plus twotimes the minimum time period T_(MIN) is not greater than the end timet_(END) at step 414, the controller 150 sets the second variable timet_(V2) equal to the first variable time t_(V1) plus the minimum timeperiod T_(MIN) at step 416, such that the controller 150 will thenexamine the time interval between the first and second variable timest_(V1), t_(V2). If the first variable time t_(V1) plus two times theminimum time period T_(MIN) is greater than the end time t_(END) at step414, the controller 150 sets the second variable time t_(V2) equal tothe end time t_(END) at step 418, such that the controller 150 will thenexamine the time interval between the first variable time t_(V1) and theend time t_(END).

At step 420, the controller 150 determines the lowest shade positionP_(LOW) of the optimal shade positions P_(OPPT)(t) during the presenttime interval (i.e., between the first variable time t_(V1) and thesecond variable time t_(V2) determined at steps 416 and 418). If, atstep 422, the previous shade position P_(PREV) is not equal to thelowest shade position P_(LOW) during the present time interval (asdetermined at step 420), the controller 150 sets the controlled shadeposition P_(CNTL)(t_(V1)) at the first variable time t_(V1) to be equalto the lowest shade position P_(LOW) of the optimal shade positionsP_(OPPT)(t) during the present time interval at step 424. The controller150 then stores in memory a timeclock event having the event time t_(V1)and the corresponding controlled position P_(CNTL)(t_(V1)) at step 426and sets the previous shade position P_(PREV) equal to the newcontrolled position P_(CNTL)(t_(V1)) at step 428. If, at step 422, theprevious shade position P_(PREV) is equal to the lowest shade positionP_(LOW) during the present time interval, the controller 150 does notcreate a timeclock event at the first variable time t_(V1). Thecontroller 150 then begins to examine the next time interval by settingthe first variable time t_(V1) equal to the second variable time t_(V2)at step 430. The timeclock event creation procedure 400 loops aroundsuch that the controller 150 determines if there is enough time leftbefore the end time t_(END) for the present timeclock event at step 412.If the first variable time t_(V1) plus the minimum time period T_(MIN)is greater than the end time t_(END) at step 412, the controller enablesthe shade timeclock schedule at step 432 and the timeclock eventcreation procedure 400 exits.

FIG. 9 is a simplified flowchart of a daylighting procedure 500, whichis executed periodically by the controller 150 (e.g., once every second)when daylighting (i.e., control of the lighting loads 112 in response tothe ambient light intensity L_(AMB) measured by the daylight sensor 154)is enabled at step 510. When daylighting is not enabled at step 510, thedaylighting procedure 500 simply exits. When daylighting is enabled atstep 510, the controller 150 causes the daylight sensor 154 to measurethe ambient light intensity L_(AMB) at step 512. If the measured ambientlight intensity L_(AMB) is less than a setpoint (i.e., target) intensityL_(SET) at step 514, the controller 150 controls the lighting controldevice 110 to increase the present lighting intensity L_(PRES) of eachof the lighting loads 112 by a predetermined percentage ΔL_(SET) (e.g.,approximately 1%) at step 516 and the daylighting procedure 500 exits.If the measured ambient light intensity L_(AMB) is greater than thesetpoint intensity L_(SET) at step 518, the controller 150 decreases thepresent lighting intensity L_(PRES) of each of the lighting loads 112 bythe predetermined percentage ΔL_(SET) at step 520 and the daylightingprocedure 500 exits. If the measured ambient light intensity L_(AMB) isnot less than the setpoint intensity L_(SET) at step 514 and is notgreater than the setpoint intensity L_(SET) at step 518 (i.e., theambient light intensity L_(AMB) is equal to the setpoint intensityL_(SET)), the daylighting procedure 500 simply exits without adjustingthe present lighting intensity L_(PRES) of each of the lighting loads112.

FIG. 10A is a simplified flowchart of a demand response messageprocedure 600, which is executed by the controller 150 in response toreceiving an immediate demand response command via the networkcommunication link 156 at step 610. Whenever an immediate demandresponse command is received at step 610, the controller 150 simplyenables a demand response (DR) mode at step 612, before the demandresponse message procedure 600 exits.

FIG. 10B is a simplified flowchart of a load control procedure 650,which is executed by the controller 150 periodically, e.g., everyminute. If the demand response mode is not enabled at step 652, thecontroller 150 executes a normal control procedure 700 for controllingthe lighting control devices 110, the motorized roller shades 120, thetemperature control devices 130, and the controllable electricalreceptacles 140 during a normal mode of operation, e.g., to maximize thecomfort of the occupants of the spaces 160 of the building. On the otherhand, if the demand response mode is enabled at step 652 (i.e., inresponse to receiving an immediate demand response command during thedemand response message procedure 600), the controller 150 executes ademand response control procedure 800 for controlling the lightingcontrol devices 110, the motorized roller shades 120, the temperaturecontrol devices 130, and the controllable electrical receptacles 140 todecrease the energy consumption of the load control system 100, whilemaintaining the comfort of the occupants of the spaces 160 of thebuilding at acceptable levels. During the normal control procedure 700and the demand response command procedure 800, the controller 150controls the lighting control devices 110, the motorized roller shades120, the temperature control devices 130, and the controllableelectrical receptacles 140 in the different spaces 160 (or areas) of thebuilding on an area-by-area basis. For example, the controller 150 maycontrol the lighting control devices 110, the motorized roller shades120, the temperature control device 130, and the controllable electricalreceptacles 140 in a specific area differently depending upon whetherthe area is occupied or not.

FIG. 11 is a simplified flowchart of the normal control procedure 700executed periodically by the controller 150 when the controller isoperating in the normal mode of operation (i.e., every minute). If thearea is occupied at step 710, the controller 150 transmits at step 712one or more digital messages to the lighting control devices 110 so asto adjust the intensities of the lighting loads 112 to theuser-specified desired lighting intensity levels L_(DES) (e.g., asdetermined in response to actuations of the first set of buttons 114 ofthe lighting control devices 110). At step 714, the controller 150transmits digital messages to the controllable electrical receptacles140 to supply power to all of the plug-in electrical loads 142 in thearea. Next, the controller 150 transmits a digital message to thetemperature control device 130 at step 715 to control the setpointtemperature T_(SET) to the user-specified desired temperature T_(DES)(e.g., as determined in response to actuations of the raise and lowertemperature buttons 136, 138 of the temperature control device 130).Finally, the controller 150 enables the shade timeclock schedule (ascreated during the timeclock event creation procedure 400) at step 716,and the normal control procedure 700 exits. Accordingly, shortly afterthe normal control procedure 700 exits, the timeclock executionprocedure 900 will be executed in order to adjust the positions of themotorized roller shades 120 to the controlled positions P_(CNTL)(t)determined in the timeclock event creation procedure 400. In addition,the timeclock execution procedure 900 will be executed periodicallyuntil the shade timeclock schedule is disabled.

If the area is unoccupied at step 710, the controller 150 turns off thelighting load 112 in the area at step 718 and turns off designated(i.e., some) plug-in electrical loads 142 at step 720. For example, thedesignated plug-in electrical loads 142 that are turned off in step 720may comprise table lamps, floor lamps, printers, fax machines, waterheaters, water coolers, and coffee makers. However, other non-designatedplug-in electrical loads 142 are not turned off in step 720, such as,personal computers, which remain powered even when the area isunoccupied. If the HVAC system 132 is presently cooling the building atstep 722, the controller 150 increases the setpoint temperature T_(SET)of the temperature control device 130 by a predetermined setbacktemperature T_(NRM_) ^(COOL) (e.g., approximately 2° F.) at step 724,such that the setpoint temperature T_(SET) is controlled to a newsetpoint temperature T_(NEW), i.e.,T _(NEW) =T _(SET) +T _(NRM_COOL).  (Equation 13)The HVAC system 132 thus consumes less power when the area is unoccupiedand the setpoint temperature T_(SET) is increased to the new setpointtemperature T_(NEW).

The controller 150 then transmits digital messages to the electronicdrive units 126 of the motorized roller shades 120 to move all of theshade fabrics 122 to the fully-closed positions at step 726. Thecontroller 150 also disables the shade timeclock schedule at step 726,before the normal control procedure 700 exits. Since the shade fabrics122 will be completely covering the windows, the shade fabrics willblock daylight from entering the building and thus the shade fabricsprevent daylight from heating the building. Accordingly, the HVAC system132 will consume less power when the motorized roller shades 120 areclosed.

If the HVAC system 132 is presently heating the building at step 722,the controller 150 decreases the setpoint temperature T_(SET) of thetemperature control device 130 by a predetermined setback temperatureT_(NRM_) ^(HEAT) (e.g., approximately 2° F.) at step 728, such that thesetpoint temperature T_(SET) is controlled to the new setpointtemperature T_(NEW), i.e.,T _(NEW) =T _(SET) −T _(NRM_HEAT).  (Equation 14)Thus, the HVAC system 132 consumes less power when the area isunoccupied and the setpoint temperature T_(SET) is decreased to the newsetpoint temperature T_(NEW) during the winter months.

Before adjusting the positions of the motorized roller shades 120, thecontroller 150 first determines at step 730 if the façade 164 of thewindows in the area may be receiving direct sunlight, e.g., using theEquations 1-12 shown above. If the façade 164 of the area is notreceiving direct sunlight at step 730, the controller 150 causes theelectronic drive units 126 of the motorized roller shades 120 to moveall of the shade fabrics 122 to the fully-closed positions and disablesthe shade timeclock schedule at step 732, such that the shade fabricsprovide additional insulation for the building. Accordingly, the shadefabrics 122 will prevent some heat loss leaving the building and theHVAC system 132 may consume less power. However, if the façade 164 ofthe area may be receiving direct sunlight at step 730, the controller150 controls the motorized roller shade 120 to the fully-open positionsdisables the shade timeclock schedule at step 734 in order to takeadvantage of the potential heat gain through the windows due to thedirect sunlight. Rather than using the Equations 1-12 shown above tocalculate whether the window may or may not be receiving directsunlight, the load control system 100 may alternatively comprise one ormore photosensors mounted adjacent the windows in the space to determineif the window is receiving direct sunlight.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are simplified flowcharts of the demand responsecontrol procedure 800 executed periodically by the controller 150 whenthe controller is operating in the demand response mode of operation(i.e., once every minute after a demand response command is received).If the area is not occupied at step 810, the controller 150 turns offthe lighting loads 112 in the area at step 812 and turns off thedesignated plug-in electrical loads 142 at step 814. If the HVAC system132 is presently cooling the building at step 816, the controller 150increases the setpoint temperature T_(SET) of each of the temperaturecontrol devices 130 by a predetermined setback temperature T_(DR_)^(COOL1) (e.g., approximately 3° F.) at step 818. The controller 150then controls the motorized roller shades 120 to the fully-closedpositions and disables the shade timeclock schedule at step 820, suchthat the HVAC system 132 will consume less power.

If the HVAC system 132 is presently heating the building at step 816,the controller 150 decreases the setpoint temperatures T_(SET) of eachof the temperature control devices 130 by a predetermined setbacktemperature T_(DR_) ^(HEAT1) (e.g., approximately 3° F.) at step 822. Ifthe façade 164 of the area is not receiving direct sunlight at step 824,the controller 150 moves all of the motorized roller shades 120 to thefully-closed positions to provide additional insulation for the buildingand disables the shade timeclock schedule at step 826, such that theHVAC system 132 will consume less power. If the façade 164 of the areamay be receiving direct sunlight at step 824, the controller 150controls the motorized roller shade 120 to the fully-open positions atstep 828 in order to take advantage of the potential heat gain throughthe windows due to the direct sunlight. The controller 150 also disablesthe shade timeclock schedule at step 828, before the demand responsecontrol procedure 800 exits.

Referring to FIG. 12B, if the area is occupied at step 810, thecontroller 150 transmits at step 830 one or more digital messages to thelighting control devices 110 to lower the present lighting intensitiesL_(PRES) of each of the lighting loads 112 by a predetermined percentageΔL_(DR) (e.g., by approximately 20% of the present lighting intensityL_(PRES)). The lighting control device 110 fades the present lightingintensity L_(PRES) of each of the lighting loads 112 over a first fadetime period (e.g., approximately thirty seconds) to a new lightingintensity L_(NEW), i.e.,L _(NEW) =ΔL _(DR) ·L _(PRES).  (Equation 15)Accordingly, when operating at the new reduced lighting intensitiesL_(NEW), the lighting loads 112 consume less power. Alternatively, thecontroller 150 may decrease the setpoint light intensity L_(SET) of thespace 160 by a predetermined percentage ΔL_(SET-DR) at step 830.

Next, the controller 150 turns off the designated plug-in electricalloads 142 at step 832. If the HVAC system 132 is presently cooling thebuilding at step 834, the controller 150 increases the setpointtemperatures T_(SET) of each of the temperature control devices 130 by apredetermined setback temperature T_(DR_) ^(COOL2) (e.g., approximately2° F.) at step 836. If the façade 164 of the area may be receivingdirect sunlight at step 838, the controller 150 controls the motorizedroller shade 120 to the fully-closed positions at step 840 in order toreduce heat rise in the area. If the façade 164 of the area is notreceiving direct sunlight at step 838, the controller 150 enables theshade timeclock schedule at step 842, such that the timeclock executionprocedure 900 will be executed periodically to adjust the positions ofthe motorized roller shades 120 to the controlled positions P_(CNTL)(t)after the demand response control procedure 800 exits.

If the HVAC system 132 is presently heating the building at step 834,the controller 150 decreases the setpoint temperatures T_(SET) of eachof the temperature control devices 130 by a predetermined setbacktemperature T_(DR_) ^(HEAT2) (e.g., approximately 2° F.) at step 844. Ifthe façade 164 of the area is not receiving direct sunlight at step 846,the controller 150 enables the shade timeclock schedule at step 848,such that the timeclock execution procedure 900 will be executed tocontrol the positions of the motorized roller shades 120 to thecontrolled positions P_(CNTL)(t) after the demand response controlprocedure 800 exits. The controller 150 then enables daylightingmonitoring (DM) at step 850 by initializing a daylighting monitoring(DM) timer (e.g., to approximately one minute) and starting the timerdecreasing in value with respect to time. When the daylightingmonitoring timer expires, the controller 150 will execute a daylightingmonitoring (DM) procedure 1000 if the daylighting procedure 500 (asshown in FIG. 9) is causing the load control system 100 to save energy.Specifically, the controller 150 determines if providing daylight in thearea by controlling the motorized roller shades 120 to the controlledpositions P_(CNTL)(t) of the timeclock schedule has resulted in energysavings in the amount of energy consumed by the lighting loads 112 (ascompared to the energy consumed by the lighting loads when the motorizedroller shades are fully closed). The daylighting monitoring timer isinitialized to an amount of time that is appropriate to allow thelighting control devices 110 to adjust the intensities of the lightingloads 112 in response to the ambient light intensity L_(AMB) measured bythe daylight sensor 154. The daylighting monitoring procedure 1000 willbe described in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 14.

If the façade 164 of the area may be receiving direct sunlight at step846, the controller 150 executes a modified schedule procedure 1100(which will be described in greater detail below with reference to FIG.15A) to temporarily increase the desired maximum sunlight penetrationdistance d_(MAX) by a predetermined amount Δd_(MAX) (e.g., byapproximately 50%) and to generate a modified timeclock schedule at themodified maximum sunlight penetration distance d_(MAX). The controller150 then enables the shade timeclock schedule at step 852, such that thecontroller will adjust the positions of the motorized roller shades 120to the modified controlled positions P_(CNTL)(t) as determined duringthe modified schedule procedure 1100 when the timeclock executionprocedure 900 is executed after the demand response control procedure800 exits. Since the desired maximum sunlight penetration d_(MAX) hasbeen increased, the sunlight will penetrate deeper into the space 160using the modified controlled positions P_(CNTL)(t) determined duringthe modified schedule procedure 1100.

Referring back to FIG. 12B, after executing the modified scheduleprocedure 1100, the controller 150 enables HVAC monitoring at step 854by initializing an HVAC monitoring timer (e.g., to approximately onehour) and starting the timer decreasing in value with respect to time.When the HVAC monitoring timer expires, the controller 150 will executean HVAC monitoring procedure 1150 to determine if the modifiedcontrolled positions P_(CNTL)(t) of the motorized roller shades 120 haveresulted in energy savings in the amount of energy consumed by the HVACsystem 132. The HVAC monitoring procedure 1150 will be described ingreater detail below with reference to FIG. 15B. After enabling HVACmonitoring at step 854, the demand response control procedure 800 exits.

As previously mentioned, the load control procedure 650 is executedperiodically by the controller 150. During the first execution of theload control procedure 650 after a change in state of the load controlsystem 100 (e.g., in response to receiving a demand response command,detecting an occupancy or vacancy condition, or determining that one ofthe façades 164 may be receiving direct sunlight or not), the controller150 is operable to lower the lighting intensities of the lighting loads112 by the predetermined percentage ΔL_(DR) (e.g., at step 830) or toadjust the setpoint temperatures T_(SET) of the temperature controldevices 130 by predetermined amounts (e.g., at steps 724, 728, 818, 822,836, 844). However, during subsequent executions of the load controlprocedure 650, the controller 150 does not continue lowering thelighting intensity of the lighting loads 112 by the predeterminedpercentage ΔL_(DR) (at step 830), or adjusting the setpoint temperaturesT_(SET) by predetermined amounts (at steps 724, 728, 818, 822, 836,844). In addition, the controller 150 only executes the modifiedschedule procedure 1100 and enables daylighting monitoring (at step 850)or HVAC monitoring (at step 854) the first time that the load controlprocedure 650 is executed after a change in state of the load controlsystem 100.

FIG. 13 is a simplified flowchart of the timeclock execution procedure900, which is executed by the controller 150 periodically, i.e., everyminute between the start time t_(START) and the end time t_(END) of theshade timeclock schedule. Since there may be multiple timeclockschedules for the motorized roller shades 120, the controller 150 mayexecute the timeclock execution procedure 900 multiple times, e.g., oncefor each shade timeclock schedule. During the timeclock executionprocedure 900, the controller 150 adjusts the positions of the motorizedroller shades 120 to the controlled positions P_(CNTL)(t) determined inthe timeclock event creation procedure 400 (or alternatively themodified controlled positions P_(CNTL)(t) determined in the modifiedschedule procedure 1100).

In some cases, when the controller 150 controls the motorized rollershades 120 to the fully-open positions P_(FO) i.e., when there is nodirect sunlight incident on the façade 164), the amount of daylightentering the space 160 (e.g., due to sky luminance from light reflectedoff of clouds or other objects) may be unacceptable to a user of thespace. Therefore, the controller 150 is operable to have a visorposition P_(VISOR) enabled for one or more of the spaces 160 or façades164 of the building. The visor position P_(VISOR) defines the highestposition to which the motorized roller shades 120 will be controlledduring the shade timeclock schedule. The visor position P_(VISOR) istypically lower than the fully-open position P_(FO), but may be equal tothe fully-open position. The position of the visor position P_(VISOR)may be entered using the GUI software of the PC. In addition, the visorposition P_(VISOR) may be enabled and disabled for each of the spaces160 or façades 164 of the building using the GUI software of the PC.

Referring to FIG. 13, if the timeclock schedule is enabled at step 910,the controller 150 determines the time t_(NEXT) of the next timeclockevent from the shade timeclock schedule at step 912. If the present timet_(PRES) (e.g., determined from the astronomical timeclock) is equal tothe next event time t_(NEXT) at step 914 and the controlled positionP_(CNTL)(t_(NEXT)) at the next event time t_(NEXT) is greater than orequal to the visor position P_(VISOR) at step 916, the controller 150sets a new shade position P_(NEW) equal to the visor position P_(VISOR)at step 918. If the controlled position P_(CNTL)(t_(NEXT)) at the nextevent time t_(NEXT) is less than the visor position P_(VISOR) at step916, the controller 150 sets the new shade position P_(NEW) equal to thecontrolled position P_(CNTL)(t_(NEXT)) at the next event time t_(NEXT)at step 920. If the present time t_(PRES) is not equal to the next eventtime t_(NEXT) at step 914, the controller 150 determines the timet_(PREV) of the previous timeclock event from the shade timeclockschedule at step 922 and sets the new shade position P_(NEW) equal tothe controlled position P_(CNTL)(t_(PREV)) at the previous event timet_(PREV) at step 924.

After setting the new shade position P_(NEW) at steps 918, 920, 924, thecontroller 150 makes a determination as to whether the present time isequal to the end time t_(END) of the shade timeclock schedule at step926. If the present time t_(PRES) is equal to the end time t_(END) atstep 926, the controller 150 sets the new shade position P_(NEW) to beequal to the nighttime position P_(NIGHT) at step 928 and disables thetimeclock schedule at step 930. If the new shade position P_(NEW) is thesame as the present shade position P_(PRES) of the motorized rollershades 120 at step 932, the timeclock execution procedure 900 simplyexits without adjusting the positions of the motorized roller shades120. However, if the new shade position P_(NEW) is not equal to thepresent shade position P_(PRES) of the motorized roller shades 120 atstep 932, the controller 150 adjusts the positions of the motorizedroller shades 120 to the new shade position P_(NEW) at step 934 and thetimeclock execution procedure 900 exits.

FIG. 14 is a simplified flowchart of the daylighting monitoringprocedure 1000, which is executed by the controller 150 when thedaylighting monitoring timer expires at step 1010. As previouslymentioned, the daylighting monitoring timer is initialized to an amountof time that is appropriate to allow the lighting control devices 110 toadjust the intensities of the lighting loads 112 in response to theambient light intensity L_(AMB) determined by the daylight sensor 154.During the daylighting monitoring procedure 1000, the controller 150first determines at step 1012 the present intensities of the lightingloads 110 in the area, which are representative of the amount of powerpresently being consumed by the lighting loads. The controller 150compares these lighting intensities to the lighting intensities of thelighting loads 112 that would be required if the motorized roller shades120 were at the fully-closed positions to determine if the load controlsystem 100 is presently saving energy as compared to when the motorizedroller shades 120 are fully closed. If the load control system 100 ispresently saving energy at step 1014, the controller 150 maintains thepresent positions of the motorized roller shades 120 and the daylightingmonitoring procedure 1000 simply exits. However, if the load controlsystem 100 is not presently saving energy at step 1014, the controller150 closes all of the motorized roller shades 120 in the area to reduceheat loss at step 1016, before the daylighting monitoring procedure 1000exits.

FIG. 15A is a simplified flowchart of the modified schedule procedure1100, which is executed by the controller 150 during the demand responsecontrol procedure 800 when the area is occupied, the HVAC system 132 ispresently heating the building, and there may be direct sunlight shiningon the façade 164. First, the controller 150 temporarily increases thedesired maximum sunlight penetration distance d_(MAX) by a predeterminedpercentage Δd_(MAX) (e.g., by approximately 50%) at step 1110, e.g.,d _(MAX)=(1+Δd _(MAX))·d _(MAX).  (Equation 16)Next, the controller 150 executes the optimal shade position procedure300 (as shown in FIG. 5) for determining the optimal shade positionsP_(OPT)(t) of the motorized roller shades 120 in response to themodified desired maximum sunlight penetration distance d_(MAX). Thecontroller 150 then executes the timeclock event creation procedure 400to generate the modified controlled positions P_(CNTL)(t) in response tothe optimal shade positions P_(OPT)(t) determined from the modifieddesired maximum sunlight penetration distance d_(MAX). Finally, themodified schedule procedure 1100 exits.

FIG. 15B is a simplified flowchart of the HVAC monitoring procedure1150, which is executed by the controller 150 when the HVAC monitoringtimer expires at step 1160. The controller 150 first determines energyusage information from the HVAC system 132. For example, the controller150 could cause the temperature control device 130 to transmit a requestfor energy usage information from the HVAC system 132 via the HVACcommunication link 134. Alternatively, the temperature control device130 could store data representative of the energy usage information ofthe HVAC system 132. For example, the temperature control device 130could monitor when the HVAC system 132 is active or inactive whileoperating to heat the building when HVAC monitoring in enabled anddetermine a heating duty cycle, which is representative of the energyusage information of the HVAC system 132. Alternatively, the temperaturecontrol device 130 could monitor the rate at which the temperature inthe space 160 decreases when the HVAC system is not actively heating thespace.

Referring back to FIG. 15B, the controller 150 determines if the HVACsystem 132 is saving energy during the HVAC monitoring at step 1164. Forexample, the controller 150 could compare the heating duty cycle duringHVAC monitoring to the heating duty cycle prior to HVAC monitoring todetermine if the HVAC system 132 is saving energy. If the heating dutycycle during HVAC monitoring is less than the heating duty cycle priorto HVAC monitoring than the HVAC system is saving energy. Alternatively,the controller 150 could compare the rate at which the presenttemperature T_(PRES) of the space 160 decreases when the HVAC system 132is not actively heating the space during HVAC monitoring to the rateprior to HVAC monitoring to determine if the HVAC system is savingenergy. If the rate at which the present temperature T_(PRES) of thespace 160 decreases when the HVAC system 132 is not actively heating thespace 160 is less than the rate prior to HVAC monitoring, the HVACsystem is saving energy. If the controller 150 determines that the HVACsystem 132 is saving energy at step 1164, the controller 150 maintainsthe present positions of the motorized roller shades 120 and the HVACmonitoring procedure 1150 simply exits. However, if the HVAC system 132is not presently saving energy at step 1164, the controller 150 closesall of the motorized roller shades 120 in the area to reduce heat lossat step 1166, before the HVAC monitoring procedure 1150 exits.Alternatively, the HVAC monitoring procedure 1150 could be executed bythe temperature control device 130.

FIG. 16 is a simplified flowchart of a planned demand response procedure1200 executed by the controller 150 of the load control system 100according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In responseto receiving a planned demand response command, the controller 150controls the load control system 100 to reduce the total powerconsumption at a predetermined start time t_(START) in the future, forexample, at noon on the day after the planned demand response commandwas received. The controller 150 is operable to “pre-condition” (i.e.,pre-cool or pre-heat) the building before the start time t_(START) ofthe planned demand response command, such that the HVAC system 132 willbe able to consume less power during the planned demand response event(i.e., after the start time). To pre-condition the building before aplanned demand response event, the controller 150 is operable topre-cool the building when the HVAC system 132 is in the cooling modeand will be cooling the building during the present day (e.g., duringthe summer), and to pre-heat the building when the HVAC system is inheating mode and the will be heating the building during the present day(e.g., during the winter).

Referring to FIG. 16, the planned demand response procedure 1200 isexecuted by the controller 150 when a planned demand response command isreceived via the network communication link 156 at step 1210. Thecontroller 150 first determines if the present time of the day is beforethe predetermined pre-condition time t_(PRE) (e.g., approximately 6A.M.) at step 1212. If so, the controller 150 enables a pre-conditiontimeclock event at step 1214. The controller 150 will then execute (inthe future at the pre-condition time t_(PRE)) a pre-condition timeclockevent procedure 1300, which will be described in greater detail belowwith reference to FIG. 17. If the present time of the day is after thepre-condition time t_(PRE) at step 1212 and the HVAC system 132 ispresently cooling the building at step 1216, the controller 150decreases the setpoint temperatures T_(SET) of each of the temperaturecontrol devices 130 in the building by a pre-cool temperature setbacktemperature T_(PRE-COOL) (e.g., approximately 4° F.) at step 1218 inorder to pre-condition the building before the planned demand responseevent. Specifically, the setpoint temperature T_(SET) of the building islowered from an initial setpoint temperature T_(INIT) to a new setpointtemperature T_(NEW) to pre-cool the building in preparation for theplanned demand response event during which the setpoint temperature willbe increased above the initial temperature T_(INIT) (as will bedescribed in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 18).

Referring back to FIG. 16, if the HVAC system 132 is presently heatingthe building at step 1216, the controller 150 increases the setpointtemperatures T_(SET) of each of the temperature control devices 130 inthe building by a pre-heat temperature amount T_(PRE-HEAT) (e.g.,approximately 4° F.) at step 1220. After either enabling thepre-condition timeclock event at step 1214 or pre-conditioning thebuilding at step 1218 or step 1220, the controller 150 enables a planneddemand response timeclock event at step 1222, before the planned demandresponse procedure 1200 exits. A planned demand response timeclock eventprocedure 1400 will be executed by the controller 150 at a planneddemand response start time t_(START). The planned demand responsetimeclock event procedure 1400 will be described in greater detail belowwith reference to FIG. 18.

FIG. 17 is a simplified flowchart of the pre-condition timeclock eventprocedure 1300, which is executed by the controller 150 at step 1310(i.e., at the pre-condition time t_(PRE)). If the pre-conditiontimeclock event is not enabled at step 1312, the pre-condition timeclockevent procedure 1300 simply exits. However, if the pre-conditiontimeclock event is enabled at step 1312 and the HVAC system 132 ispresently cooling the building at step 1314, the controller 150 causeseach of the temperature control devices 130 to decrease the setpointtemperatures T_(SET) by the pre-cool temperature amount T_(PRE-COOL)(i.e., approximately 4° F.) at step 1316 in order to pre-cool thebuilding before the planned demand response event, and the pre-conditiontimeclock event procedure 1300 exits. If the HVAC system 132 ispresently heating the building at step 1314, the controller 150increases the setpoint temperatures T_(SET) of each of the temperaturecontrol devices 130 by the pre-heat temperature amount T_(PRE-HEAT)(e.g., approximately 4° F.) at step 1318 in order to pre-heat thebuilding before the planned demand response event, and the pre-conditiontimeclock event procedure 1300 exits.

FIG. 18 is a simplified flowchart of the planned demand responsetimeclock event procedure 1400, which is executed by the controller 150at step 1410 (i.e., at the start time t_(START)). If the planned demandresponse timeclock event is not enabled at step 1412, the planned demandresponse timeclock event procedure 1400 simply exits. However, if theplanned demand response timeclock event is enabled at step 1412 and theHVAC system 132 is presently cooling the building at step 1414, thecontroller 150 causes each of the temperature control devices 130 toincrease the respective setpoint temperature T_(SET) by a temperaturesetback temperature T_(PLAN1) (i.e., approximately 8° F.) at step 1416,such that the new setpoint temperature T_(NEW) is greater than theinitial setpoint temperature T_(INIT) of the building beforepre-cooling, i.e.,T _(NEW) =T _(INIT)+(T _(PLAN1) −T _(PRE-COOL)).  (Equation 17)At step 1418, the controller 150 causes the lighting control devices 110to lower each of the present lighting intensities L_(PRES) of thelighting loads 112 by a predetermined percentage ΔL_(PLAN1) (e.g., byapproximately 20% of the present intensity), such that the lightingloads consume less power. At step 1420, the controller 150 causes eachof the motorized roller shades 120 to move the respective shade fabric122 to the fully-closed position, before the planned demand responsetimeclock event procedure 1400 exits.

If the HVAC system 132 is presently heating the building at step 1414,the controller 150 decreases the setpoint temperatures T_(SET) of eachof the temperature control devices 130 by a temperature setbacktemperature T_(PLAN2) (i.e., approximately 8° F.) at step 1422, suchthat the new setpoint temperature T_(NEW) is less than the initialsetpoint temperature T_(INIT) of the building before pre-heating, i.e.,T _(NEW) =T _(INIT)−(T _(PLAN2) −T _(PRE-HEAT)).  (Equation 18)At step 1424, the controller 150 decreases each of the present lightingintensities L_(PRES) of the lighting loads 112 connected to the lightingcontrol devices 110 by a predetermined percentage ΔL_(PLAN2) (e.g., byapproximately 20% of the present intensity). At step 1426, thecontroller 150 moves the respective shade fabric 122 of each of themotorized roller shades 120 to the fully-closed position, before theplanned demand response timeclock event procedure 1400 exits.

While the controller 150 of the load control system 100 of FIG. 1receives the demand response command from the electrical utility companyvia the network communication link 156, the load control system couldalternatively receive the demand response command through other means.Often, the electrical utility company may not be connected to the loadcontrol system 100 via the Internet (i.e., via the network communicationlink 156). In such situations, a representative of the electricalutility company may contact a building manager of the building in whichthe load control system 100 is installed via telephone in order tocommunicate the specific demand response command. For example, thebuilding manager could actuate one of the buttons 114 on the lightingcontrol device 110 in order to input an immediate demand responsecommand to the load control system 100. The lighting control device 110could then transmit appropriate digital messages to the controller 150.Alternatively, the load control system 100 could also comprise apersonal computer or laptop operable to communicate with the controller150. The building manager could use the personal computer to communicatean immediate or a planned demand response command to the controller 150.Further, the controller 150 could include an antenna, such that thebuilding manager could use a wireless cell phone or a wireless personaldigital assistant (PDA) to transmit an immediate or a planned demandresponse command wirelessly to the controller (e.g., via RF signals).

According to a third embodiment of the present invention, the controller150 is operable to control the lighting control device 110, themotorized roller shades 120, the temperature control device 130, and thecontrollable electrical receptacle 140 according to a plurality ofdemand response (DR) levels. A demand response level is defined as acombination of predetermined parameters (e.g., lighting intensities,shades positions, temperatures, etc.) for one or more of the loads ofthe load control system 100. The demand response levels provide a numberof predetermined levels of energy savings that the load control system100 may provide in response to the demand response command. For example,in a specific demand response level, a certain number of lighting loadsmay be dimmed by a predetermined amount, a certain number of motorizedroller shades may be closed, a certain number of plug-in electricalloads 142 may be turned off, and the setpoint temperature may beadjusted by a certain amount. The demand response level to which thecontroller 150 controls the load control system 100 may be included inthe demand response command received from the electrical utility companyvia the network communication link 156. Alternatively, the demandresponse command received from the electrical utility company may notinclude a specific demand response level. Rather, the controller 150 maybe operable to select the appropriate demand response level in responseto the demand response command transmitted by the electrical utilitycompany.

When the load control system 100 is programmed to provide multipledemand response levels, each successive demand response level furtherreduces the total power consumption of the load control system 100. Forexample, the electrical utility company may first transmit a demandresponse command having demand response level one to provide a firstlevel of energy savings, and then may subsequently transmit demandresponse commands having demand response levels two, three, and four tofurther and sequentially reduce the total power consumption of the loadcontrol system 100. Four example demand response levels are provided inthe following table, although additional demand response levels could beprovided. As shown in Table 1, the second demand response level causesthe load control system 100 to consume less power than the first demandresponse level, and so on.

TABLE 1 Example Demand Response (DR) Levels of the Third Embodiment LoadMotorized Plug-In Roller Temperature Electrical DR Level Lighting LoadsShades (HVAC) Loads DR Level 1 Reduce intensities Close shadesIncrease/reduce No change. of lighting loads in in some areas.temperature by 2° F. some areas by 20%. when cooling and heating. DRLevel 2 Reduce intensities Close shades Increase/reduce No change. oflighting loads in in all areas. temperature by 4° F. all areas by 20%.when cooling and heating. DR Level 3 Reduce intensities Close shadesIncrease/reduce No change. of lighting loads in in all areas.temperature by 6° F. all areas by 50%. when cooling and heating. DRLevel 4 Reduce intensities Close shades Turn off HVAC Turn off some oflighting loads in in all areas. system when cooling plug-in all areas by50%. or reduce temperature electrical to 45° F. when heating. loads.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are simplified flowcharts of a demand response levelprocedure 1500 executed by the controller 150 according to the thirdembodiment of the present invention. The demand response level procedure1500 is executed by the controller 150 in response to receiving a demandresponse command including a demand response level via the networkcommunication link 156 at step 1510. If the demand response level of thereceived demand response command is one at step 1512, the controller 150lowers the present intensities L_(PRES) of only some of the lightingloads 112, for example, only the lighting loads 112 in the non-workingareas of the building (such as, for example, rest rooms, corridors, andpublic areas) by a first predetermined percentage ΔL₁ (e.g.,approximately 20% of an initial lighting intensity L_(INIT)) at step1514. The controller 150 then closes the motorized roller shades 120 inthe same non-working areas of the building at step 1516. If the HVACsystem 132 is presently cooling the building at step 1518, thecontroller 150 increases the setpoint temperatures T_(SET) by a firstsetback temperature T₁ (e.g., approximately 2° F.) at step 1520, and thedemand response level procedure 1500 exits. If the HVAC system 132 ispresently heating the building at step 1518, the controller 150decreases the setpoint temperatures T_(SET) by the first setbacktemperature T₁ at step 1522, and the demand response level procedure1500 exits.

If the demand response level of the received demand response command isnot one at step 1512, but is two at step 1524, the controller 150 lowersthe present intensities L_(PRES) of all of the lighting loads 112 in thebuilding, i.e., including the working areas of the building (such as,office spaces and conference rooms) by the first predeterminedpercentage ΔL₁ (i.e., approximately 20% of the initial lightingintensity L_(INIT)) at step 1526. If the controller 150 had previouslyreduced the present intensities L_(PRES) of the lighting loads 112 inthe non-working areas of the building at step 1514 (i.e., according tothe demand response level one), the controller only adjusts the presentintensities L_(PRES) of the lighting loads 112 in the working areas ofthe building at step 1526. At step 1528, the controller 150 then closesthe motorized roller shades 120 in all of the areas of the building. Ifthe HVAC system 132 is presently cooling the building at step 1530, thecontroller 150 increases the setpoint temperature T_(SET) by a secondsetback temperature T₂ (e.g., approximately 4° F.) at step 1532, and thedemand response level procedure 1500 exits. If the controller 150 hadpreviously increased the setpoint temperatures T_(SET) by the firstsetback temperature T₁ at step 1520 (i.e., according to the demandresponse level one), the controller 150 only increases the setpointtemperatures T_(SET) by approximately 2° F. at step 1532, (i.e., T₂-T₁).If the HVAC system 132 is presently heating the building at step 1530,the controller 150 decreases the setpoint temperature T_(SET) by thesecond setback temperature T₂ at step 1534, and the demand responselevel procedure 1500 exits.

Referring to FIG. 19B, if the demand response level is not two at step1524, but is three at step 1536, the controller 150 lowers the presentintensities L_(PRES) of all of the lighting loads 112 in the building bya second predetermined percentage ΔL₂ (i.e., approximately 50% of theinitial lighting intensity L_(INIT)) at step 1538. If the controller 150had previously reduced the present intensities L_(PRES) of the lightingloads 112 in any of the areas of the building at steps 1514 or 1526(i.e., according to the demand response levels one or two), thecontroller only adjusts the present intensities L_(PRES) of each of thelighting loads 112 by the necessary amount at step 1538. The controller150 then closes the motorized roller shades 120 in all of the areas ofthe building at step 1540 (if needed). If the HVAC system 132 ispresently cooling the building at step 1542, the controller 150increases the setpoint temperature T_(SET) by a third setbacktemperature T₃ (e.g., approximately 6° F.) at step 1544, and the demandresponse level procedure 1500 exits. If the HVAC system 132 is presentlyheating the building at step 1542, the controller 150 decreases each ofthe setpoint temperatures T_(SET) by the third setback temperature T₃ atstep 1546, and the demand response level procedure 1500 exits.

If the demand response level is not three at step 1536, but is four atstep 1548, the controller 150 lowers the present intensities L_(PRES) ofall of the lighting loads 112 in the building by the secondpredetermined percentage ΔL₂ at step 1550 (if needed) and closes all ofthe motorized roller shades 120 at step 1552 (if needed). At step 1554,the controller 150 transmits digital messages to the electricalreceptacles 140 to turn off the designated plug-in electrical loads 142,such as, for example, table lamps, floor lamps, printers, fax machines,water heaters, water coolers, and coffee makers, but leaves some otherplug-in loads powered, such as, personal computers. If the HVAC system132 is presently cooling the building at step 1556, the controller 150turns off the HVAC system at step 558, and the demand response levelprocedure 1500 exits. If the HVAC system 132 is presently heating thebuilding at step 1556, the controller 150 causes each of the temperaturecontrol devices 130 to decrease the respective setpoint temperatureT_(SET) to a minimum temperature T_(MIN) at step 1560 and the demandresponse level procedure 1500 exits.

FIG. 20 is a simplified block diagram of a distributed load controlsystem that may be installed in a building, such as a residence,according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The loadcontrol system 1600 comprises a lighting control device, e.g., awall-mountable dimmer switch 1610, which is coupled to an AC powersource 1602 via a line voltage wiring 1604, and is operable to adjustthe amount of power delivered to a lighting load 1612 to thus controlthe present lighting intensity L_(PRES) of the lighting load. The loadcontrol system 1600 also comprises a motorized window treatment, e.g., amotorized roller shade 1620, which may be positioned in front of awindow for controlling the amount of daylight entering the building. Theload control system 1600 further comprises a temperature control device1630, which is coupled to an HVAC system 1632 for controlling a setpointtemperature T_(SET) of the HVAC system.

According to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the dimmerswitch 1610, the motorized roller shade 1620, and the temperaturecontrol device 1630 operate in an energy-savings mode to automaticallyreduce the total power consumption of the load control system 1600. Inaddition, a user may manually override the automatic control in theenergy-savings mode to allow for improvement of the comfort of the useror occupant. The load control system 100 may enter a manual mode inwhich the user may manually adjust the present lighting intensityL_(PRES) of the lighting load 1612, controlling the amount of daylightentering the building through the window, or the setpoint temperatureT_(SET) of the HVAC system 1632. The dimmer switch 1610, the motorizedroller shade 1620, and the temperature control device 1630 are operableto automatically return to the energy-savings mode at a time after thedimmer switch, the motorized roller shade, and the temperature controldevice entered the manual mode as will be described in greater detailbelow.

Referring back to FIG. 20, the dimmer switch 1610 comprises a controlactuator 1614 and an intensity adjustment actuator 1616 for allowing theuser to manually override the present lighting intensity L_(PRES) of thelighting load 1612. Specifically, the user is able to turn the lightingload 1612 on and off by actuating the control actuator 1614, and toadjust the present lighting intensity L_(PRES) of the lighting load 1612between a minimum lighting intensity L_(MIN) and a maximum lightingintensity L_(MAX) in response to actuations of the intensity adjustmentactuator 1616. The dimmer switch 1610 is operable to fade the presentlighting intensity L_(PRES) between two lighting intensities. An exampleof a wall-mountable dimmer switch is described in greater detail inpreviously-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,919.

The dimmer switch 1610 is operable to transmit and receive digitalmessages via wireless signals, e.g., RF signals 1606 (i.e., an RFcommunication link). The dimmer switch 1610 is operable to adjust thepresent lighting intensity L_(PRES) of the lighting load 1612 inresponse to the digital messages received via the RF signals 1606. Thedimmer switch 1610 may also transmit feedback information regarding theamount of power being delivered to the lighting load 1610 via thedigital messages included in the RF signals 1606. Examples of RFlighting control systems are described in greater detail incommonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,905,442, issued on May 18, 1999,entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING AND DETERMINING THE STATUSOF ELECTRICAL DEVICES FROM REMOTE LOCATIONS, and U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/033,223, filed Feb. 19, 2008, entitled COMMUNICATIONPROTOCOL FOR A RADIO-FREQUENCY LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM, the entiredisclosures of which are both hereby incorporated by reference.

The motorized roller shade 1620 comprises a flexible shade fabric 1622rotatably supported by a roller tube 1624, and an electronic drive unit(EDU) 1625, which may be located inside the roller tube 1624. Theelectronic drive unit 1625 may be powered by an external transformer(XFMR) 1626, which is coupled to the AC power source 1602 and produces alower voltage AC supply voltage for the electronic drive unit. Theelectronic drive unit 1625 is operable to control the position of theshade fabric 1622 in response to digital messages received via the RFsignals 1606, and to transmit feedback information regarding theposition of the shade fabric via the RF signals.

The temperature control device 1630 is coupled to the HVAC system 1632via an HVAC communication link 1634, e.g., for adjusting the setpointtemperature T_(SET) of the HVAC system 1632. The temperature controldevice 1630 measures the present temperature T_(PRES) in the buildingand transmits appropriate digital messages to the HVAC system 1632 tothus control the present temperature T_(PRES) in the building towardsthe setpoint temperature T_(SET). The temperature control device 1630 isoperable to adjust the setpoint temperature T_(SET) in response to thedigital messages received via the RF signals 1606 or in response to thepresent time of day according to a predetermined timeclock schedule. Inaddition, the user is operable to manually override the setpointtemperature T_(SET) by actuating buttons of the temperature controldevice 1630 as will be described in greater detail below. The HVACcommunication link 1634 may comprise, for example, a digitalcommunication link, such as an Ethernet link, but could alternativelycomprise a more traditional analog control link for simply turning theHVAC system 1632 on and off.

FIG. 21A is an enlarged front view of the temperature control device1630. The temperature control device 1630 comprises a temperatureadjustment actuator 1670 (e.g., a rocker switch) for allowing the userto manually override the setpoint temperature T_(SET) of the HVAC system1632. Actuations of an upper portion 1670A of the temperature adjustmentactuator 1670 cause the temperature control device 1630 to increase thesetpoint temperature T_(SET), while actuations of a lower portion 1670Bof the temperature adjustment actuator cause the temperature controldevice to decrease the setpoint temperature T_(SET). The temperaturecontrol device 1630 further comprises a room temperature visual display1672A and a setpoint temperature visual display 1672B, which eachcomprise linear arrays of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged parallelto each other as shown in FIG. 21A. One of the individual LEDs of theroom temperature visual display 1672A is illuminated to display thepresent temperature T_(PRES) of the room in which the temperaturecontrol device 1630 is located, for example, on a linear scale between60° F. and 80° F. In a similar manner, one of the individual LEDs of thesetpoint temperature visual display 1672B is illuminated to display thesetpoint temperature T_(SET) of the temperature control device 1630. Thetemperature control device 1630 transmits digital messages to the othercontrol devices of the load control system 1600 via the RF signals 1606in response to actuations of an “eco-saver” actuator 1674 as will bedescribed below. The temperature control device 1630 has a cover plate1676, which covers a plurality of operational actuators 1678. FIG. 21Bis a front view of the temperature control device 1630 in which thecover plate 1676 is open and the operational actuators 1678 are shown.Actuations of the operational actuators 1678 adjust the operation of theHVAC system 1632, for example, to change between the heating mode andthe cooling mode.

Referring back to FIG. 20, the load control system 1600 may alsocomprise a wireless temperature sensor 1636, which may be mountedremotely in a location away from the temperature control device 1630 andmay also be battery-powered. FIG. 22 is an enlarged perspective view ofthe wireless temperature sensor 1636. The wireless temperature sensor1636 comprises an internal temperature sensing device (not shown) formeasuring the present temperature T_(PRES) in the building at thelocation away from the temperature control device 1630. The wirelesstemperature sensor 1636 comprises vents 1680, which allow for air flowfrom the outside of the temperature sensor to the internal temperaturesensing device inside the temperature sensor. The vents 1680 help toimprove the accuracy of the measurement of the present temperatureT_(PRES) in the room in which the wireless temperature sensor 1636 ismounted (i.e., of the temperature outside the wireless temperaturesensor). The wireless temperature sensor 1636 further comprises a linkbutton 1682 and a test button 1684 for use during setup andconfiguration of the wireless temperature sensor. The wirelesstemperature sensor 1636 is operable to transmit digital messagesregarding the measured temperature to the temperature control device1630 via the RF signals 1606. In response to receiving the RF signals1606 from the wireless temperature sensor 1636, the temperature controldevice is operable to update the room temperature visual display 1672Ato display the present temperature T_(PRES) of the room at the locationof the wireless temperature sensor and to control the HVAC system 1632,so as to move the present temperature T_(PRES) in the room towards thesetpoint temperature T_(SET).

FIG. 23 is a simplified block diagram of the temperature control device1630. The temperature control device 1630 comprises a controller 1690,which may be implemented as, for example, a microprocessor, amicrocontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any suitable processing device.The controller 1692 is coupled to an HVAC communication circuit 1692(e.g., a digital communication circuit, such as an Ethernetcommunication circuit), which is connected to the HVAC communicationlink 1634 to allow the controller to adjust the setpoint temperatureT_(SET) of the HVAC system 1632. If the HVAC communication circuit 1692comprises an analog control link, the HVAC communication circuit 1692could simply comprise a switching device for enabling and disabling theHVAC system 1632.

The controller 1690 is operable to determine the present temperatureT_(PRES) in the building in response to an internal temperature sensor1694. The controller 1690 is further coupled to a wireless communicationcircuit, e.g., an RF transceiver 1695, which is coupled to an antenna1696 for transmitting and receiving the RF signals 1606. The controller1690 is operable to determine the present temperature T_(PRES) in thebuilding in response to the RF signals 1606 received from the wirelesstemperature sensor 1636. Alternatively, the temperature control device1630 may simply comprise either one or the other of the internaltemperature sensor 1694 and the RF transceiver 1695 for determining thepresent temperature T_(PRES) in the room. Examples of antennas forwall-mounted control devices are described in greater detail incommonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,982,103, issued Nov. 9, 1999, and U.S.Pat. No. 7,362,285, issued Apr. 22, 2008, both entitled COMPACT RADIOFREQUENCY TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING ANTENNA AND CONTROL DEVICEEMPLOYING SAME, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporatedby reference.

The temperature control device 1630 further comprises to a memory 1698for storage of the setpoint temperature T_(SET) and the presenttemperature T_(PRES) in the building, as well as data representative ofthe energy usage information of the HVAC system 1632. The memory 1698may be implemented as an external integrated circuit (IC) or as aninternal circuit of the controller 1690. The controller 1690 may beoperable to determine the data representative of the energy usageinformation of the HVAC system 1632 in a similar manner as thetemperature control device 130 of the first embodiment. For example, thedata representative of the energy usage information of the HVAC system1632 may comprise values of the duty cycle defining when the HVAC systemis active and inactive during a predetermined time period, or the rateat which the present temperature T_(PRES) decreases or increases in theroom when the HVAC system is not actively heating or cooling the space,respectively, during a predetermined time period.

A power supply 1699 receives power from the line voltage wiring 1604 andgenerates a DC supply voltage V_(cc) for powering the controller 1690and other low-voltage circuitry of the temperature control device 1630.The controller 1690 is coupled to the temperature adjustment actuator1670, the eco-saver actuator 1674, and the operational actuators 1678,such that the controller is operable to adjust the operation of the HVACsystem 1632 in response to actuations of these actuators. The controller1690 is coupled to the room temperature visual display 1672A and thesetpoint temperature visual display 1672B for displaying the presenttemperature T_(PRES) and the setpoint temperature T_(SET), respectively.

Referring back to FIG. 20, the load control system 100 further comprisesone or more controllable electrical receptacles 1640, and plug-in loadcontrol devices 1642 for control of plug-in electrical loads, such as,for example, a table lamp 1644, a television 1646, a floor lamp, astereo, or a plug-in air conditioner. The plug-in load control device1642 is adapted to be plugged into a standard electrical receptacle1648. The controllable electrical receptacle 1640 may comprise adimmable electrical receptacle including an internal dimming circuit foradjusting the intensity of the lamp 1644. The controllable electricalreceptacle 1640 and the plug-in load control device 1642 are responsiveto the digital messages received via the RF signals 1606 to turn on andoff the respective plug-in loads 1644, 1646. Additionally, the loadcontrol system 1600 could comprise one or more controllable circuitbreakers (not shown) for control of other switched electrical loads,such as, for example, a water heater.

The load control system 1600 also comprises one or more input controldevices, such as a wall-mounted keypad 1650 or a battery-powered remotecontrol 1652, for allowing the user to manually override theenergy-savings mode. Specifically, the keypad 1650 and the remotecontrol 1652 allow the user to manually override the present lightingintensity L_(PRES) of the lighting load 1612, the position of themotorized roller shade 1620 to adjust the amount of daylight enteringthe building through the window, the setpoint temperature T_(SET) of theHVAC system 1632, and the state of the controllable electricalreceptacle 1640 and the plug-in load control device 1642. The keypad1650 and the remote control 1652 transmit digital messages to the othercontrol devices of the load control system 1600 via the RF signals 1606in response to actuations of respective groups of one or more buttons1654, 1656. The load control system 1600 may also comprise additionaldimmer switches 1610, motorized roller shades 1620, temperature controldevices 1630, controllable electrical receptacles 1640, plug-in loadcontrol devices 1642, and input control devices.

The load control system 1600 may also comprise a central antenna device1658 for orchestrating some of the operation of the load control system.The central antenna device 1658 may comprise an astronomical timeclockand may operate as a central controller for the load control system1600. The central antenna device 1658 may execute the timeclock schedulefor limiting the sunlight penetration distance d_(PEN) in the space. Thetemperature control device 1630 is operable to increase or decrease thesetpoint temperature T_(SET) by a setback temperature T_(SB) in responseto the mode of the HVAC system 1632 (i.e., heating or cooling,respectively) as part of the energy-savings presets. Alternatively, thetemperature control device 1630 could, as part of the energy-savingspresets, adjust the setpoint temperature T_(SET) by the setbacktemperature T_(SB) in response the present time of the year (i.e., thesummer or the winter) as determined by the astronomical timeclock of thecentral antenna device 1658. The timeclock schedule to limit thesunlight penetration distance d_(PEN) in the space may be overriddenwhen in the manual mode.

According to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the dimmerswitch 1610, the motorized roller shade 1620, the temperature controldevice 1630, and the controllable electrical receptacles 1640, 1642 areeach individually responsive to a plurality of demand response levels,i.e., predetermined energy-savings “presets”. The energy-savings presetsmay be user selectable and may be defined to provide energy savings fordifferent occupancy conditions of the building. For example, theenergy-savings presets may comprise a “normal” preset, an “eco-saver”preset, an “away” preset, a “vacation” preset, and a “demand response”preset. Examples of the energy-savings presets are provided in thefollowing table.

TABLE 2 Example Energy-Savings Presets of the Fourth Embodiment LoadPlug-In Motorized Roller Temperature Electrical Preset Lighting LoadsShades (HVAC) Loads Normal Reduce intensities Shade positions asTemperature as No change. of lighting loads controlled by user.controlled by user. by 0%. Eco-Saver Reduce intensities Control positionin Increase/reduce No change. of lighting loads response to ambienttemperature by 2° F. by 15%. light intensity. when heating and cooling.Away Turn off all Close all shades. Increase/reduce Turn off lamps,lighting loads. temperature by 6° F. television, and when heating andstereo. cooling. Vacation Turn off all Close all shades. Increase temp.by Turn off lamps, lighting loads. 10° F. when cooling television, orreduce temp. to stereo, and water 45° F. when heating. heater. DemandReduce intensities Close all shades. Increase/reduce No change. Responseof lighting loads temperature by 2° F. by 20%. when heating and cooling.

When the normal preset is selected, the load control system 1600operates as controlled by the occupant of the building, i.e., the normalpreset provides no changes to the parameters of the load control system.For example, the lighting loads 1612 may be controlled to 100%, themotorized roller shades 1620 may be opened, and the setpoint temperatureT_(SET) may be controlled to any temperature as determined by theoccupant. The eco-saver preset provides some energy savings over thenormal preset, but still provides a comfortable environment for theoccupant. The away preset provides additional energy savings by turningoff the lighting loads and some of the plug-in electrical loads when theoccupant may be away temporarily away from the building. The vacationpreset provides the maximum energy savings of the energy-savings presetsshown in Table 2 for times when the occupant may be away from thebuilding for an extended period of time.

The energy-savings presets (particularly, the normal preset, theeco-saver preset, the away preset, and the vacation preset) may also bemanually selected by the user in response to actuations of the buttons1654 of the keypad 1650 or the buttons 1656 of the battery-poweredremote control 1652. The dimmer switch 1610, the motorized roller shade1620, the temperature control device 1630, the controllable electricalreceptacles 1640, and the plug-in load control device 1642 operate asshown in Table 2 in response to the specific energy-savings presettransmitted in the digital messages from the keypad 1650 or the remotecontrol 1652. In addition, the eco-saver preset may be selected inresponse to an actuation of the eco-saver actuator 1674 on thetemperature control device 1630. Specifically, the controller 1690 ofthe temperature control device 1630 is operable to transmit a digitalmessage including an eco-saver preset command via the RF transceiver1695 in response to an actuation of the eco-saver actuator 1674.

The load control system 1600 may also comprise a smart power meter 1660coupled to the line voltage wiring 1604. The smart power meter 1660 isoperable to receive demand response messages or commands from theelectrical utility company, for example, via the Internet or via RFsignals. The smart power meter 1660 may be operable to wirelesslytransmit a digital message including the received demand responsecommand to a demand response orchestrating device 1662, which may be,for example, plugged into a standard electrical receptacle 1649. Inresponse to receiving a digital message from the smart power meter 1660,the demand response orchestrating device 1662 is operable tosubsequently transmit digital messages including, for example, thedemand response preset, via the RF signals 1606 to the dimmer switch1610, the motorized roller shade 1620, the temperature control device1630, the controllable electrical receptacle 1640, and the plug-in loadcontrol device 1642.

Accordingly, as shown by the example data in Table 2, the dimmer switch1610 reduces the present lighting intensity L_(PRES) of the lightingload 1612 by 20% and the electronic drive units 1625 move the respectiveshade fabrics 1622 to the fully-closed position in response to receivingthe demand response command. In response to receiving theutility-company command, the temperature control device 1630 alsoincreases the setpoint temperature T_(SET) by 2° F. when the HVAC system1632 is presently in the cooling mode, and decreases the setpointtemperature T_(SET) by 2° F. when the HVAC system 1632 is presently inthe heating mode. In addition, the demand response orchestrating device1662 may comprise one or more buttons 1664 for selecting theenergy-savings presets. Alternatively, the smart power meter 1660 may beoperable to wirelessly transmit digital message directly to the dimmerswitch 1610, the motorized roller shade 1620, the temperature controldevice 1630, the controllable electrical receptacle 1640, and theplug-in load control device 1642 to allow for manually overriding theenergy-savings mode.

In addition, the smart power meter 1660 may be operable to measure thetotal power consumption of the load control system 1600 and to transmita digital message to the demand response orchestrating device 1662including a representation of the measured total power consumption. Thedemand response orchestrating device 1662 may be operable to compare themeasured total power consumption to a predetermined peak power threshold(i.e., a load shedding threshold). In response to determining that themeasured total power consumption has exceeded the peak power threshold,the demand response orchestrating device 1662 may be operable toautomatically transmit digital messages including, for example, thedemand response preset, to the dimmer switch 1610, the motorized rollershade 1620, the temperature control device 1630, the controllableelectrical receptacle 1640, and the plug-in load control device 1642. Anexample of a procedure for automatic load shedding is described ingreater detail in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0315400, publishedDec. 24, 2009, entitled METHOD OF LOAD SHEDDING TO REDUCE THE TOTALPOWER CONSUMPTION OF A LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM, the entire disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference.

The load control system 1600 may further comprise a wireless occupancysensor 1668. The occupancy sensor 1668 is operable to wirelesslytransmit digital messages to the dimmer switch 1610, the motorizedroller shade 1620, the temperature control device 1630, the controllableelectrical receptacles 1640, and the plug-in load control device 1642 inresponse to detecting an occupancy condition or a vacancy condition inthe space in which the occupancy sensor in mounted. For example, thedimmer switch 1610, the motorized roller shade 1620, the temperaturecontrol device 1630, the controllable electrical receptacles 1640, andthe plug-in load control device 1642 operate according to the awaypreset in response a vacancy condition, and according to the normalpreset in response to an occupied condition.

The load control system 1600 may further comprise a wireless daylightsensor 1669 for measuring the ambient light intensity L_(AMB) in theroom in which the daylight sensor is mounted. The daylight sensor 1669is operable to wirelessly transmit digital messages to the dimmer switch1610, the motorized roller shade 1620, the temperature control device1630, the controllable electrical receptacles 1640, and the plug-in loadcontrol device 1642 in response to the ambient light intensity L_(AMB)in the space in which the daylight sensor in mounted. The motorizedroller shade 1620 may be operable to control the position of the shadefabric 1622 in response to amount of daylight entering the buildingthrough the window as part of the eco-saver preset. In addition, themotorized roller shade 1620 could control the position of the shadefabric 1622 in response to the present time of the year and the presenttime of the day as part of the eco-saver preset.

In addition, the load control system 1600 may further comprise anadvanced input control device, such as a dynamic keypad 1700 that has avisual display 1710. FIG. 24 is a front view of the dynamic keypad 1700showing an example home screen 1720. The dynamic keypad 1700 is adaptedto be mounted to a wall (e.g., in an electrical wallbox), such that thedynamic keypad may be optimally mounted and easily accessible in aspace. Alternatively, the dynamic keypad 1700 could be surface-mountedto the wall. The dynamic keypad 1700 may comprise a touch screen, e.g.,a capacitive touch pad 1712, displaced overtop the visual display 1710,such that the visual display may display “soft” buttons 1714 that may beactuated by a user. Accordingly, the visual display 1710 is operable todynamically change to provide a plurality of different soft buttons tothe user to thus allow the user to monitor and adjust many differentoperating characteristics and parameters of the load control system1600. The dynamic keypad 1700 also comprises “hard” buttons 1716 (i.e.,physical buttons), which may, for example, select predetermined presetsor scenes, or turn predetermined loads on and off. The user is operableto use the dynamic keypad 1700 to select one of the energy-savingspresets or to manually override the present lighting intensity L_(PRES)of the lighting load 1612, the position of the motorized roller shade1620, or the setpoint temperature T_(SET) of the HVAC system 1632 aswill be described in greater detail below.

As shown in FIG. 24, the soft buttons 1714 of the home screen 1720include a lights button 1722, a shades button 1724, a temperature button1725, an audio-visual (A/V) button 1726, an energy (i.e., energysavings) button 1728, and a favorites button 1729. An actuation of thelights button 1722 causes the dynamic keypad 1700 to display a lightingscenes screen 1740 (FIG. 26) for adjusting the intensities of thelighting loads 1612 of the load control system 1600, while an actuationof the shades button 1724 causes the dynamic keypad to display a windowtreatments scenes screen 1770 (FIG. 28) for controlling the positions ofthe motorized roller shades 1620. An actuation of the temperature button1725 results in the display of a setpoint temperature adjustment screen1800 (FIG. 30), which allows for adjusting the setpoint temperatureT_(SET) and the setback temperature T_(SB) as will be described ingreater detail below. An actuation of the A/V button 1726 causes thedynamic keypad 1700 to display an A/V screen (not shown) that providesfor control of, for example, the volume of a speaker or othercontrollable characteristics of audio and visual equipment. An actuationof the energy button 1728 displays an energy-savings preset screen 1900(FIG. 32), which allows for selection of one of the energy-savingspresets. Finally, an actuation of the favorites button 1729 displays afavorites screen (not shown) that may include, for example, a selectionof often-used or preferred presets of the user of the dynamic keypad1700. The dynamic keypad 1700 may be operable to time out in response toreceiving no user inputs via the soft buttons 1714 or the hard buttons1716 for a predetermined amount of time, and then return to the homescreen 1720 after timing out.

FIG. 25 is a simplified block diagram of the dynamic keypad 1700. Thedynamic keypad 1700 comprises a controller 1730, which may beimplemented as, for example, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, aprogrammable logic device (PLD), an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), or any suitable processing device. The controller 1730is coupled to the visual display 1710, such that the controller 1730 isoperable to cause the various screens to be displayed on the visualdisplay. The controller 1730 is also coupled to the touch pad 1712 andthe hard buttons 1716, such that the controller is operable to receiveuser inputs via actuations of the soft buttons 1714 and the hardbuttons. The controller 1730 is further coupled to a wirelesscommunication circuit, e.g., an RF transceiver 1732, which is coupled toan antenna 1734 for transmitting and receiving digital messages via theRF signals 1606. Alternatively, the dynamic keypad 1700 could comprise acommunication circuit adapted to be coupled to a wired communicationlink. The dynamic keypad 1700 further comprises a memory 1736 forstorage of the various screens to be displayed on the visual display1710 as well as other operational characteristics of the load controlsystem 1600, and a power supply 1738 that receives power from the linevoltage wiring 1604 and generates a DC supply voltage V_(CC) forpowering the controller 1730 and other low-voltage circuitry of thedynamic keypad 1700. Alternatively, the dynamic keypad 1700 couldcomprise a battery (not shown) for generating the DC supply voltageV_(CC), such that the dynamic keypad requires no wire connections.

FIG. 26 shows an example screenshot of the lighting scenes screen 1740,which is displayed in response to actuations of the lights button 1722on the home screen 1720. The lighting scenes screen 1740 comprises aplurality of lighting scene buttons 1742, which may be actuated by theuser to select predetermined lighting presets of the lighting loads 1612in a specific area of the load control system 1600 (e.g., the kitchen asshown in FIG. 26). In addition, the lighting scenes screen 1740comprises a raise button 1744 and a lower button 1746 that may beactuated to respectively raise and lower the intensities of all of thelighting loads 1612 in the present area. An actuation of a lightingzones screen buttons 1748 causes the dynamic keypad 1700 to display alighting zones screen 1750 (as shown in FIG. 27), which provides forcontrol of a specific zone (or group) of the lighting loads 1612 in thearea. The lighting zones screen 1750 comprises an on button 1752 forturning on the lighting loads 1612 in the present zone, an off button1754 for turning off the lighting loads, a raise button 1755 for raisingthe intensities of the lighting loads, and a lower button 1756 forlowering the intensities of the lighting loads. The lighting zonesscreen 1750 further comprises a scroll bar 1758 that may be movedhorizontally to cause the dynamic keypad 1700 to display other lightingzones in the area to provide for control of the lighting loads 1612 inthe other zones in the area.

The lighting zones screen 1750 further comprises a virtual slidercontrol 1760 having an actuator knob 1762 positioned along an elongatedvertical slot 1764. The user may touch the actuator knob 1762 and slidethe knob 1762 up and down to respectively raise and lower theintensities of the lighting loads 1612 in the present zone. In addition,the dynamic keypad 1700 is operable to update the position of theactuator knob 1762 to accurately reflect the intensity of the lightingloads 1612 in the present zone, for example, in response to actuationsof the raise and lower buttons 1755, 1756 of the lighting zones screen1750, actuations of raise and lower buttons of the keypad 1650, orscheduled timeclock events. An actuation of a lighting scenes screenbutton 1766 causes the dynamic keypad 1700 to display the lightingscenes screen 1740 again.

FIG. 28 shows an example screenshot of the window treatments scenesscreen 1770, which is displayed in response to actuations of the shadesbutton 1724 on the home screen 1720. The window treatments scenes screen1770 comprises a plurality of shading scene buttons 1772, a raise button1774, and a lower button 1776, which provide for control of themotorized roller shades 1620 in the present area of the load controlsystem 1600. FIG. 29 shows an example screenshot of a window treatmentszones screen 1780, which is displayed in response to actuations of awindow treatments zones screen button 1778 on window treatments scenesscreen 1770. The window treatments zones screen button 1778 includessimilar buttons 1782-1788 as the lighting zones screen 1750 shown inFIG. 27, as well as a slider control 1790 (including an adjustment knob1792 and an elongated slot 1794) that provides for adjustment of, anddisplays feedback of, the positions of the motorized roller shades 1620of the present zone.

FIG. 30 shows an example screenshot of the setpoint temperatureadjustment screen 1800, which is displayed in response to actuations ofthe temperature button 1725 on the home screen 1720. The setpointtemperature adjustment screen 1800 comprises a present temperaturedisplay 1810 for displaying the present temperature T_(PRES) of thearea, and a setpoint temperature display 1812 for displaying thesetpoint temperature T_(SET) of the area. The setpoint temperatureadjustment screen 1800 also comprises a setpoint temperature raisebutton 1814 and a setpoint temperature lower button 1816 forrespectively raising and lowering the setpoint temperature T_(SET). Ascroll bar 1818 allows the user to navigate between different areas tothus view and control the present temperature T_(PRES) and the setpointtemperature T_(SET) of different areas.

The setpoint temperature adjustment screen 1800 also comprises an ecobutton 1820, which causes a setback display window 1830 to be displayed.The setback temperature display window 1830 comprises a setbacktemperature display 1832 for showing the present setback temperatureT_(SB). An actuation of a setback confirmation button 1834 on thesetback temperature display window 1830 causes the temperature controldevice 1630 to begin offsetting the setpoint temperature T_(SET) by thesetback temperature T_(SB). The setback temperature display window 1830also comprises a setback adjustment button 1836, which allows the userto adjust the value of the setback temperature T_(SB) on-the-fly (i.e.,at the time of actuation of the eco button 1830 to enable the setbacktemperature). Specifically, an actuation of the setback adjustmentbutton 1836 causes a setback adjustment window 1840 to be displayed asshown in FIG. 31. The setback adjustment window 1840 comprises a setbackraise button 1842 and a setback lower button 1844 for respectivelyraising and lowering the value of the setback temperature T_(SB) (aswill be visually updated in the setback temperature display 1832). Oncethe value of the setback temperature T_(SB) is correctly selected on thesetback adjustment window 1840, the user may actuate a setbackadjustment confirmation button 1846 to return to the setback temperaturedisplay window 1830. After the setback temperature T_(SB) is enabled byan actuation of the eco button 1830, the temperature control device 1630adjusts the setpoint temperature T_(SET) to be offset by the setbacktemperature T_(SB), even when, for example, the setpoint temperature isadjusted according to the timeclock schedule.

In addition, the lighting scenes screen 1740 could also comprise alighting eco button (not shown) for decreasing all of the intensities ofthe lighting loads 1612 in an area by a setback percentage ΔL_(SB). In asimilar manner that the setback adjustment window 1840 enables the userto adjust the setback temperature T_(SB) on-the-fly, the dynamic keypad1700 could also allow the user to quickly adjust the setback percentageΔL_(SB) by which the intensities of the lighting loads 1612 will bedecreased in response to an actuation of the lighting eco button.

FIG. 32 shows an example screenshot of the energy-savings preset screen1900, which is displayed in response to actuations of the energy button1728 on the home screen 1720. The energy-savings preset screen 1900comprises a plurality of energy-savings preset buttons 1910 forselecting one of the energy-savings presets. In addition, theenergy-savings preset screen 1900 comprises a demand response messagesarea 1912 for displaying information regarding any demand responsemessages or commands received from the electrical utility company viathe smart power meter 1660, such that the user may make an informeddecision when selecting one of the energy-savings presets. When one ofthe energy-savings preset buttons 1910 is actuated to select therespective energy-savings preset, an energy-savings preset adjustmentbutton 1914 is displayed on the respective energy-savings preset button.

FIG. 33 is an example screenshot of a first energy-savings adjustmentscreen 1920 and FIG. 34 is an example screenshot of a secondenergy-savings adjustment screen 1930 that allow for adjustment of thevarious settings and parameters of the load control system, i.e., theintensities of the lighting loads 1612, the positions of the motorizedroller shades 1620, the setpoint temperature T_(SET) of the temperaturecontrol device 1630, and the states of plug-in electrical loads or otherswitched loads 1644, 1646. The first energy-savings adjustment screen1920 is displayed in response to an actuation of the energy-savingspreset adjustment button 1914 of the energy-savings preset screen 1900.The second energy-savings adjustment screen 1930 may be displayed bysliding a scroll bar 1922 of the first energy-savings adjustment screen1920.

As shown in FIG. 32, the first energy-savings adjustment screen 1920comprises a lighting energy-savings setting window 1940 having a raisebutton 1942 and a lower button 1944 for providing on-the-fly adjustment(i.e., immediate adjustment) of a lighting setback percentage by whichthe intensities of the lighting loads 1612 are being decreased (asdisplayed on the lighting energy-savings setting window 1940). Inaddition, adjustments of the lighting setback percentage in the lightingenergy-savings setting window 1940 are saved, such that the intensitiesof the lighting loads 1612 will be decreased by the present value of thelighting setback percentage when the present energy-savings preset isnext selected on the energy-savings preset screen 1900. The firstenergy-savings adjustment screen 1920 also comprises a temperatureenergy-savings setting window 1950 having a raise button 1952 and alower button 1954 for adjusting the setback temperature T_(SB) of thetemperature control device 1630 in a similar manner as the lightingenergy-savings setting window 1940.

The first energy-savings adjustment screen 1920 also comprises a shadestimeclock schedule setting window 1960, which allows for adjustment ofthe state of the timeclock schedule that controls the positions of themotorized roller shades 1620 (i.e., whether or not the timeclockexecution procedure 900 is executed) when the present energy-savingspreset is selected. The shades timeclock schedule setting window 1960comprises a temporary override switch 1962, which may be actuated by theuser to temporarily change the state of the timeclock schedule, i.e., toenable or disable the timeclock schedule. The shades timeclock schedulesetting window 1960 also comprises checkboxes 1964 for choosingmutually-exclusive settings that will be saved, such that the checkedsetting will be recalled each time that present energy-savings preset isselected on the energy-savings preset screen 1900. The secondenergy-savings adjustment screen 1930 comprises first, second, and thirdswitched load energy-savings windows 1970, 1980, 1990, which allow foradjustment of various switched electrical loads of the load controlsystem 1600, e.g., a hot water heater, a dryer, and a dehumidifier,respectively, as shown in FIG. 34. The first, second, and third switchedload energy-savings windows 1970, 1980, 1990 comprise respectivetemporary override switches for temporarily adjusting the states of therespective loads, and checkboxes for choosing the saved settings for therespective load.

After the user manually overrides one or more of the loads of the loadcontrol system 1600 to enter the manual mode, the control devices of theload control system are operable to automatically return toenergy-savings mode. Specifically, when the user manually overrides thepresent lighting intensity L_(PRES) of the lighting load 1612, theposition of the motorized roller shade 1620, the setpoint temperatureT_(SET) of the HVAC system 1632, or the state of the controllableelectrical receptacle 1640 or the plug-in load control device 1642, thedimmer switch 1610, the motorized roller shade 1620, the temperaturecontrol device 1630, the controllable electrical receptacle 1640, andthe plug-in load control device 1642 are operable to automatically beginoperating in the energy-savings mode once again. For example, the dimmerswitch 1610, the motorized roller shade 1620, the temperature controldevice 1630, the controllable electrical receptacle 1640 and the plug-inload control device 1642 may be operable to automatically return to theenergy-savings mode after a predetermined amount of time since themanual override by the user. In addition, the control device of the loadcontrol system 100 may be operable to automatically exit the manual modeto return to the energy-savings mode in response to:

-   -   an event of a timeclock schedule of the astronomical timeclock,        for example, at the end time t_(END) of the present day;    -   the occupancy sensor 1668, for example, if the occupancy sensor        detects that the space is unoccupied;    -   an actuation of one of the buttons 1654, 1656 of the keypad 1650        or the battery-powered remote control 1652; or    -   an actuation of the visual display 1701 of the dynamic keypad.        When using the dynamic keypad 1700, the user may be required to        enter a password to enter and exit the manual mode.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, afterreceiving a demand response preset, the temperature control device 1630is operable to transmit RF signals 1606 to the control devices of theload control system 1600 in response to the data representative of theenergy usage information of the HVAC system 1632 stored in the memory1698. For example, the controller 1690 of the temperature control device1630 may be operable to execute an HVAC monitoring procedure similar tothe HVAC monitoring procedure 1150 shown in FIG. 15B to control themotorized roller shade 1620 in dependence upon the data representativeof the energy usage information of the HVAC system 1632. The controller1690 is operable to monitor the operation of the HVAC system 1632 forthe predetermined time period (e.g., approximately one hour) after themotorized roller shade 1620 moves the shade fabric 1622 in a firstdirection from an initial position, and to determine if the HVAC system1632 is consuming more energy than when the shade fabric was in theinitial position (i.e., if the heating and cooling system is consumingmore energy at the end of the predetermined time period than at thebeginning of the predetermined time period). The controller 1690 is thenoperable to transmit a digital message to the motorized roller shade1620, such that the motorized roller shade moves the shade fabric 1622in a second direction opposite the first direction if the HVAC system1632 is consuming more energy than when the shade fabric was in theinitial position.

Specifically, in response to receiving a demand response preset, themotorized roller shade 1620 is operable to open the shade fabric 1622from the initial position to allow more sunlight to enter the room whenthe HVAC system 1632 is heating the building, to thus attempt to warmthe room using daylight. If the controller 1690 of the temperaturecontrol device 1630 then determines that the HVAC system 1632 is notsubsequently saving energy, the controller may transmit a digitalmessage including a command to close the shade fabric 1622 (e.g., to thefully-closed position) directly to the motorized roller shade 1620 viathe RF transceiver 1695. Similarly, when the HVAC system 1632 is coolingthe building, the motorized roller shade 1620 could close the shadefabric 1622 from the initial position to allow less sunlight to enterthe room, and open the shade fabric (e.g., to the fully-open position)if the HVAC system is not subsequently saving energy. Alternatively, thecontroller 1690 of the temperature control device 1630 could simplytransmit the data representative of the energy usage information of theHVAC system 1632 to the motorized roller shade 1620, and the motorizedroller shade could response appropriately to the data representative ofthe energy usage information of the HVAC system.

Although the present invention has been described in relation toparticular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modificationsand other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It ispreferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by thespecific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A load control system installed in a building andresponsive to a demand response command from an electrical utilitycompany, the load control system comprising: a temperature controldevice configured to control a heating and cooling system in a space toadjust a present temperature towards a setpoint temperature; a motorizedwindow treatment configured to control an amount of light admittedthrough a window, wherein the motorized window treatment comprises afabric for covering the window, the motorized window treatmentconfigured to adjust the fabric between a fully-open position in whichthe window is not covered and a fully-closed position in which thewindow is covered; and a controller communicably coupled to thetemperature control device, and the motorized window treatment tocontrol the temperature control device and the motorized windowtreatment, the controller configured to: receive the demand responsecommand from the electrical utility company, wherein the demand responsecommand indicates a demand response event; and in response to receivingthe demand response command: determine whether the heating and coolingsystem is heating or cooling the space; based on determining that theheating and cooling system is cooling the space, transmit a command tothe temperature control device to increase the setpoint temperature tocontrol the heating and cooling system to reduce energy consumption;determine whether a façade on which the motorized window treatment isinstalled is receiving direct sunlight; and in response to determiningthat the façade is receiving direct sunlight, transmit a command to themotorized window to lower the fabric.
 2. The load control system ofclaim 1, further comprising: a wireless temperature sensor configured tomeasure the present temperature and to wirelessly transmit a messageincluding a value representative of the present temperature; wherein thecontroller is configured to receive the message from the wirelesstemperature sensor and to determine the present temperature in responseto the message.
 3. The load control system of claim 1, wherein, inresponse to the demand response command, the controller is furtherconfigured to: based on determining that the heating and cooling systemis heating the space, transmit a command to the temperature controldevice to decrease the set point temperature so as to decrease the powerconsumption of the heating and cooling system.
 4. The load controlsystem of claim 1, wherein the motorized window treatment is configuredto decrease an amount of light admitted through the window in responseto receiving the command from the controller by lowering the fabric tothe fully-closed position.
 5. The load control system of claim 3,further comprising: an occupancy sensor configured to determine whetherthe space is occupied or unoccupied.
 6. The load control system of claim5, wherein, when the space is occupied, the heating and cooling systemis heating the building, and the space is receiving direct sunlight, themotorized window treatment is configured to raise the fabric from aninitial position to a raised position to allow more sunlight to enterthe space in response to the demand response command, the motorizedwindow treatment configured to lower the fabric if the heating andcooling system is consuming more energy when the fabric was in theraised position than when the fabric was in the initial position.
 7. Theload control system of claim 4, wherein, in response to the demandresponse command, the motorized window treatment is further configuredto: raise the fabric when the heating and cooling system is heating thebuilding.
 8. The load control system of claim 1, wherein, aftertransmitting the command to lower the fabric of the motorized windowtreatment in response to the demand response event, the controller isfurther configured to: monitor the heating and cooling system for apredetermined time period; determine whether the heating and coolingsystem is consuming more energy at the end of the predetermined timeperiod than at the beginning of the predetermined time period; and basedon the determination that the heating and cooling system is consumingmore energy at the end of the predetermined time period than at thebeginning of the predetermined time period, transmit a message to themotorized window treatment to control the motorized window treatment toraise the fabric.
 9. The load control system of claim 1, wherein thedemand response command comprises a planned demand response commandindicating an upcoming planned demand response event; further whereinthe controller is configured to control the heating and cooling systemto pre-condition the building prior to the upcoming demand responseevent.
 10. The load control system of claim 9, wherein, to pre-conditionthe building prior to the upcoming demand response event, the controlleris configured to: decrease the setpoint temperature when the heating andcooling system is cooling the building; and increase the setpointtemperature when the heating and cooling system is heating the building.11. The load control system of claim 1, further comprising: acontrollable electrical receptacle for turning a plug-in load on andoff, the controllable electrical receptacle communicatively coupled tothe controller; and wherein in response to receiving the demand responsecommand, the controller is further configured to transmit the command tothe controllable electrical receptacle to cause the controllableelectrical receptacle to turn off the plug-in load.
 12. The load controlsystem of claim 1, further comprising: a lighting control deviceconfigured to control an amount of power to one or more lighting loads,the lighting control device communicatively coupled to the controller;wherein, in response to receiving the demand response command, thecontroller is further configured to: transmit the command to thelighting control device; and wherein the lighting control device isconfigured to decrease the amount of power delivered by the lightingcontrol device to at least one lighting load of the one or more lightingloads by a predetermined amount to decrease power consumption of the atleast one lighting load of the one or more lighting loads in response tothe command.
 13. A method for controlling a load control system of abuilding in response to a demand response command from an electricalutility company, the method comprising: receiving, via a controller, thedemand response command from the electrical utility company, wherein thedemand response command indicates a demand response event; and inresponse to receiving the demand response command: determining, via thecontroller, whether a heating and cooling system is heating or cooling aspace; based on determining that the heating and cooling system iscooling the space, transmitting a command to a temperature controldevice to increase a setpoint temperature of a temperature controldevice to control the heating and cooling system to reduce energyconsumption; determining, via the controller, whether a façade on whicha motorized window treatment is installed is receiving direct sunlight;and in response to determining that the façade is receiving directsunlight, transmitting a command to the motorized window treatment tolower a fabric to a fully-closed position.
 14. The method of claim 13,further comprising: controlling, via a controller, a lighting controldevice to decrease an amount of power delivered to at least one lightingload in response to receiving the demand response command.
 15. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises: based ondetermining that the heating and cooling system is heating the space, inresponse to receiving the demand response command and determining thatthe façade is receiving direct sunlight, transmitting a command to raisethe fabric of the motorized window treatment when the heating andcooling system is heating the building.
 16. The method of claim 13,further comprising: monitoring the heating and cooling system for apredetermined time period; determining whether the heating and coolingsystem is consuming more energy at the end of the predetermined timeperiod than at the beginning of the predetermined time period; and basedon the determination that the heating and cooling system is consumingmore energy at the end of the predetermined time period than at thebeginning of the predetermined time period, transmitting a message tothe motorized window treatment to control the motorized window treatmentto raise the fabric.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the demandresponse command comprises a planned demand response command indicatingan upcoming planned demand response event, the method furthercomprising: pre-conditioning the building, via the controller, prior tothe upcoming demand response event.
 18. The method of claim 17, whereinpre-conditioning the building comprises: decreasing the setpointtemperature of the temperature control device when the heating andcooling system is cooling the building; and increasing the setpointtemperature of the temperature control device when the heating andcooling system is heating the building.
 19. The method of claim 13,further comprising: in response to the demand response command,transmitting a command, via the controller, to a controllable electricalreceptacle to turn off a plug-in load.